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Scribbled AngelfishDuboulay's AngelfishFamily: Pomacanthidae Chaetodontoplus duboulayiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Pavaphon SupanantananontLatest Reader Comment - See More This angel is a true stunner. My tank has been set up for 6 months and I use tap water, and this angel has thrived in my tank. He lives with a regal, cream, queen,... (more) craig scott Found in the Pacific Ocean among the coral reef areas, the beautiful Scribbled Angelfish are a favorite for aquarists!Scribbled Angelfish Contents The Scribbled Angelfish are regularly exported for large public aquariums, but are more rare in the aquarium trade. They do make great pets though, if provided with lots of swimming space and plenty of hiding places. They will be rather shy at first but will become bolder as they become comfortable. Once adapted to their new home they will accept a varied diet and in time they will even take food from their owner's hand. Generally a Scribbled Angelfish will do well with other angelfish members and also with smaller non-aggressive species, but an established adult can become moody and aggressive.A pair can be kept if the aquarium is very large and they are introduced at the same time. For more Information on keeping saltwater fish see: |
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Habitat: Natural geographic location: Described by G{uuml}nther in 1867, the Scribbled Angelfish or Duboulay's Angelfish are found on coastal and inner reefs of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, southern New Guinea and the Aru Islands. They are generally seen at depths between 1 - 20 meters (3 - 66 ft.). They among coral, rock, sponge and seawhips found in areas with soft bottoms, rubble or open flat bottoms. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups...
Status: These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.
Description: The Scribbled Angelfish derived its name from a distinctive scrawled or 'scribbled' type patterning on a body that is mostly a dark bluish black color. The long and broad dorsal and anal fins are also 'scribbled' with dark and light blues, sometimes deep reds. The pale yellow face is followed by a broad blue-black band running through the eye area, and this is followed by another broad yellow and white band that extends onto the pelvic fins. There is a horizontal yellow stripe just beneath the dorsal fin, starting narrowlly at the front and becoming wider until it reaches the caudal peduncle. The tail fin is also yellow.
Length/Diameter of fish: Scribbled Angelfish adults can grow to 25.5 cm (10 inches).
Maintenance difficulty: The Scribbled Angelfish is easy to keep if you get a healthy specimen. Though often shy when first acquired, once they become acclimated they are readily maintained and will eat a variety of foods.
The water quality of the aquarium must be well maintained. Chaetodontoplus members can suffer from ‘ich' (white spot disease) or other diseases. They can be treated successfully with medicine or copper drugs, but they have a weakness for drugs or sudden changes in water conditions. In the wild a cleaner wrasse (Labroides spp.) will pick parasites off the body.
Foods: The Scribbled Angelfish are omnivores, in the wild they eat primarily sponges and tunicates, but will also nibble on macroalgae, coral polyps, and sea whips. Provide a varied diet. Juveniles often accept dried flakes, frozen prepared diets for sponge and algae eaters, frozen shrimps, and may also feed on tablets. They will also eat some meaty foods, a good formula that can be made at home consists of mussels, shrimp, squid, and spinach. Feed these fish at least twice or three times everyday.
Maintenance: Normal water changes at 10% biweekly or 20% monthly is fine for juveniles, but large specimens need small but frequent water changes especially if the tank is not large.
For more information see, Marine Aquarium Basics: Maintenance
Aquarium Parameters:
This fish needs lots of open space for free swimming for large specimens and some crevices for juveniles to hide. No need for a sand bed.
Minimum Tank Length/Size:
A minimum 60 gallon (227 liters) tank will work for a juvenile, but a larger 100 gallon (378 liters) or more for an adult. A male and female may be housed together as long as they are introduced at the same time and the tank is quite large, 125 gallons (473 liters) or more.
Light: Recommended light levels
Can be kept in bright light, even sunlight conditions.
Temperature:
Temperatures between 72 - 78° F (22 - 25.5° C) will serve them well.
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
No special requirements, but need the flow slow enough so that they can feed.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
They will spend time in all parts of the aquarium.
 Photo ©Animal-World |
Social Behaviors: The Scribbled Angelfish is not a reef safe fish as it will feed on some corals and sessile inverts, so will do best in a community tank. The Chaetodontoplus angels are slightly less aggressive than some of the other angelfish, though that can vary from one individual to another. A pair may also be okay together if the aquarium is very large and there are crevices for retreat, but the pair must be introduced to the aquarium at the same time. Larger and territorial angelfishes like Pomacanthus are not recommended as tank mates.
Smaller and non-aggressive fish like cardinalfish, gobies, tilefish, damselfish, butterflyfish, fairy basslets, wrasses, etc. will be good tank mates. Very territorial fishes such as dottybacks or meat-feeders like big Basses, etc. are not recommended as tank mates.
Sexual differences: Though the sexes are often indistinguishable, some adult males will have a more apparent white patch behind the eye, over the gill cover.
Breeding/Reproduction: Not accomplished in captivity. See Breeding Marine Fish page for a description of how they reproduce in the wild.
Availability: This fish is occasionally available and is usually very expensive.
- Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
- Helmut Debelius, Rudie H. Kuiter, World Atlas of Marine Fishes, Hollywood Import & Export, Inc., 2006
- Scott W. Michael, Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes: Reef Fishes Series , Microcosm Ltd, 2004
- Mark Allen, Roger Steene, Gerald R. Allen, Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes, Odyssey Publishing, 1998
- Dr. Warren E. Burgess, Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod, Raymond E. Hunziker III, Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes, T.F.H Publications inc., 1990
- Roger Steene, Gerald R. Allen, Hans A. Baensch, Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World, Volume 1, John Wiley & Sons, 1980
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