Yellow-spotted Angelfish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Restricted to the Marquesas Islands in the Central Pacific. Inhabits outer reef slopes and steep drop-offs rich in sponges at depths of 10 to 40 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Pomacanthidae family. Features a deep, laterally compressed body and a prominent preopercular spine. Reaches about 20 cm in length.

Social Behavior: Solitary or paired in nature. Territorial and actively defends its grazing areas. Displays intraspecific aggression towards other angelfish.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Beautiful greyish-blue body fading into bright yellow on the back and flanks, covered with small yellow spots. Fins are edged in dark blue. No obvious sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Demands a mature tank of at least 400 liters with ample live rock arranged to create caves, crevices, and open swimming paths.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Primarily feeds on sponges and tunicates. Requires angelfish formulas containing sponge material, supplemented with spirulina, mysis, and brine shrimp.

Water Quality: Requires pristine conditions: temperature 24-28 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.020-1.025. Strong protein skimming and water movement are vital.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Safe for reef tanks with caution. Likely to nip at soft corals, clams, and large polyp stony (LPS) corals. Do not mix with similar angelfish.

Aquarium Breeding: Broadcast pelagic spawners. No captive breeding records exist in home aquariums due to complex larval needs.

Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet (Oodinium). A strict quarantine process is strongly recommended.