 |
Blue-faced AngelfishYellow-faced Angelfish, Yellow Mask AngelfishFamily: PomacanthidaeAngelfishwMA_Ap8SA.jpg) Pomacanthus xanthometoponPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg RothschildLatest Reader Comment - See More Very hardy marine fish and very easy to keep. It is not reef safe but is ok with soft corals in my tank and spits water out when you open the hood of the tank. Scott The Blue-faced Angelfish, though not so pugnacious, is definitely one of the most beautiful angelfish!Blue-faced Angelfish Contents The Bluefaced Angelfish or Yellowfaced Angelfish, Pomacanthus xanthometopon, is a gorgeous, dynamically colored fish. Its scales are a bright blue, its dorsal fin is yellow, and there is a blue dot near the tail fin. Then depending on where it's from, the brightly colored areas and the tail fin can be yellow or orange, but not mixed. All in all this is a highly color contrasted beauty, and a prize showpiece for an experienced aquarist. Being less adaptive than others in its genus, the Bluefaced Angelfish is a rather hard fish to keep. Like others in the Pomacanthidae family, it grows into a spectacular and colorful adult of up to 15". It will need a very large tank to reach its full grown size and bright coloration. Some say 135 gallons, but a Yellowfaced Angelfish really needs at least 225 to 275 gallons (852 to 1041 l). These angelfish are more prone to stress than other fish of the same size when not provided with a large amount of swimming room. This results in stress, lack of proper adult coloration and shorter life span. It is suggested that you buy a specimen that is under 8" as larger angelfish have a harder time adjusting and the mortality rate is higher. Make sure the tank is at least 6 months old, but with plenty of live rock for it to graze on. Their shy nature means they do need to have several hiding areas to feel secure, so provide rocks with cave type formations as places of refuge and comfort. Although the Bluefaced Angelfish is not as contentious as other Pomacanthus, it is still not the shyest of fish. It will not get along with other angelfish and it will go after smaller peaceful fish like blennies, clownfish, etc. Adding the Blueface last is the best choice. The Bluefaced Angelfish is not considered reef safe. They will snack on zoanthids, clams, LPS, and some soft corals. Even SPS are not always safe from these coral carnivores. Some say to make sure they are well fed, then they will not bother corals. This may be true as juveniles, but not adults, the need for excellent water quality when keeping corals, denies overfeeding. For more Information on keeping saltwater fish see: |
 |
||||
|
Habitat: Natural geographic location The Bluefaced AngelfishPomacanthus xanthometopon, is also known as the Yellowfaced Angelfish and Yellow Mask Angelfish. It is from the Pomacanthidae family, and was first described by Bleeker in 1853. It is found in the Indo Pacific Ocean from Maldives to Vanuatu then northward to the Yaeyama Islands and it is also found in Palau and Krosae in Micronesia.
The Bluefaced Angel is generally a solitary fish. As a juvenile it will inhabit very shallow inshore caves where algae is growing. Adults love the dense reefs in lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes, and are especially fond of caves in those areas. The depths they are found at is 16 to 82 feet (5 to 25 m). Sponges and other encrusting animals are their preferred fare. As of yet, breeding in captivity is not possible and tank raising these angels has not been successful. This Angelfish can live up to 10 years.
Status The Pomacanthus xanthometopon is on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern (LC), with a stable population.
Description The adult Bluefaced Angelfish or Yellowfaced Angelfish has scales that are bright blue, outlined in yellow. The dorsal fin is yellow with a blue dot near the tail fin. Depending on the location where it is found, colored areas of the fish are yellow or orange, but not mixed. The tail fin is either orange or yellow, also depending on origin. The anal and pelvic fin are clearish yellow with a bright blue outline on the lower part of each fin. The pectoral fin is either orange or yellow with blue outlining the top and this color moves into the chest area and also outlines the eyes. The face is also bright blue, and starts at the mouth, or the front of the fish, and continues to just in front of the gills. The bright blue starts just above the eyes and then down to the chin. Angelfish(juv)WMA_Ap15AD_med.jpg)
Blue-faced Angelfish (juvenile) Photo © Animal-World:
Courtesy Hiroyuki Tanak
The juvenile looks an awful lot like the Arabian Angelfish or Asfur Angelfish Pomacanthus asfur, but there are several differences. Both have bright blue, black, light blue and white stripes, but the Blueface differs in that its stripes seem to extend into the fins. Whereas the Asfur's stripes seems to stop at the base of the body, before the fins start. Striping into the tail fin can be seen on the Blueface but is absent with the Asfur Angelfish, and the Asfur's tail also has yellow at the base. Another difference is that the Blueface juvenile's white stripes are uniform and all curve backward where the Asfur juvenile's white stripes can curve toward the front or back or can be straight and there are less of them.
Length/Diameter of fish This large Pomacanthus can grow up to 15" (40 cm) in the wild, and in captivity with a large enough tank.
Difficulty of Care The Bluefaced Angelfish or Yellowfaced Angelfish is moderately hard to advanced in difficulty. Young specimens under 20 cm (8 inches) seem to adapt better to aquarium life than adults. Good water quality that is needed along with a large tank to properly house this fish. If a tank of 225 gallons or more can be provided, then they would be considered moderately hardy as adults. This large aquarium size encourages lower stress levels because of adequate swimming room. These angels also do not do well amidst constant commotion. They will hide if they feel insecure or threatened, eventually getting ill and die.
Foods and Feeding Bluefaced Angelfish are omnivores, in the wild eat a wide variety of sponges and other encrusting animals. It is important that you feed angelfish all kinds of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods. Feed vegetable based foods as well as meaty foods like chopped squid, scallop, and shrimp. Prepared foods with marine sponge is essential. A good formula that can be made at home consists of mussels, shrimp, squid, and spinach. Many foods offer color enhancing qualities, which are helpful. Feed 3 or more times a day.
Aquarium Care In general, Pomacanthus angelfish are not as forgiving as some other fish when it comes to water quality, and the Bluefaced Angel is not as forgiving as some of the other Pomacanthus. Water quality must be high, almost similar to corals. Water changes of 30% a month, or 15% every 2 weeks is optimal in keeping nitrates lower. If there are corals in the tank, then 20% every month, 10% every 2 weeks or 5% a week works great. A larger tank is important for this large fish. Because it needs a lot of food, there is a large bio-load on the aquarium. A smaller tank will foul quickly.
Aquarium Parameters
These angels, like others, need a stable and established tank which is at least 6 months old. A Bluefaced Angel is best introduce as a young fish under 8", and added last. These angels enjoy large amounts of rock work to graze on and to hide in, so arrange them in a way that your angel can "hide" from what it deems threatening both inside the tank and outside, like heavy footsteps or other commotion around the tank. Proper tank size is needed for the Bluefaced Angelfish to obtain proper color and size.
- Minimum Tank Size / Length: A minimum size of at least 225 to 275 gallons (852 to 1041 l) is needed for an adult, 125 gallons (473 liters) is adequate for a juvenile.
- Marine Lighting: Any. It is best kept under normal lighting, but can also be kept in sunlight conditions and in a dimly lit tank.
- Temperature: 72 - 82° F (22-28° C)
- Specific gravity (Salinity): 1.023 to 1.025
- Water Movement: No special requirements, it can tolerate a rather stronger flow but slow-moving water is preferable.
- Water Region: They will spend time in all parts of the aquarium
Social Behaviors The Bluefaced Angelfish will harass smaller fish like gobies, clownfish and blennies. They will not tolerate other angelfish and will become aggressive in the presence of another angelfish. Because they establish territories that they will defend, they should be the last fish you introduce into the tank.
In a reef environment they will eat at Large Polyp Stony Corals (LPS), most soft corals, Zoanthids, and Tridacnid clams. Use caution with Small Polyp Stony Corals (SPS), even SPS corals are not always safe from these coral carnivores. They may be a threat to small decorative shrimp as well.
Sex: Sexual differences No sexual differences are known.
Breeding/Reproduction Similar to other Pomacanthus, the Blueface will spawn at dusk. The male Blueface Angelfish will swim around the female quickly, in a circular pattern, then will swim above her. Eventually, she will feel compelled to swim toward him, and he will then nuzzle her belly with his nose to trigger her to lay her eggs. At the time she releases the eggs, he releases his sperm and these newly fertilized eggs will float in a planktonic stage for a few weeks before turning into fry, and then into the juvenile stage..
See Breeding Marine Fish for a description of how they reproduce in the wild.
Fish Diseases Bluefaced Angelfish, like other saltwater angelfish, are prone to any disease that captive saltwater environments have to offer. Stress due to various reasons will cause illness, like inappropriate housing or tank mates to commotion outside the tank, will make the fish ill. Saltwater Ich or White Spot Disease (Crypt) is the most common of disease, and is generally associated with marine tangs and angelfish.
Symptoms of Marine Ich or White Spot Disease (Crypt) are constant scratching, culminating with lots of white dots. These dots disappear for a few days, only to return with double the number. This results in the fish suffocating from these parasites blocking the gills from providing oxygen. One suggestion is putting your tank just at least 82°F (28°C) since that will prevent the parasite from completing its life cycle, which includes the attachment to fish. Several preparations are also available for this parasite.
Seachem has awesome products for treating Marine Ick, Focus and Metronidazole. The Focus (bonding agent) is mixed 5 to 1 with their Metronidazole (one part Metro to 5 parts Focus). This combo is mixed with 1 Tablespoon of food and can be fed to the fish 3 times a day until symptoms are gone. This can be used in a reef aquarium since the medication is bound to the food. In combination, the higher temperature along with the food/medication combo, will provide timely relief.
Diseases that saltwater angelfish are susceptible to:
- Marine Ich (white spot disease)
- Marine Velvet
- Lymphocystis (a viral infection)
Availability The Bluefaced Angelfish or Yellowfaced Angelfish is moderately easy to find online and in stores, but rather expensive
- Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
- Helmut Debelius and Rudie H. Kuiter, World Atlas of Marine Fishes, (in German) Hollywood Import & Export, Inc., 2006
- Scott W. Michael, Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes: Reef Fishes Series , Microcosm Ltd, 2004
- Scott W. Michael, Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species, T.F.H Publications inc., 1999
- Mark Allen, Roger Steene and Gerald R. Allen, A Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes , Odyssey Publishing, 1998
- Dr. Gerald R. Allen, Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World Volume 2, Aquarium Systems; 3rd edition,1985
- Jim McDavid, Large Angels in the Home Aquariums, Part 1, Advanced Aquarist, Copyright 2003
AngelfishwMA_Ap8SA_vsm.jpg) |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 
|
|||||
|
International Index Pages |
|||||
| Join Dr. Jungle on Facebook - People Talking About Their Pets | |||||
