Dusky Angelfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Thailand and Indonesia. Commonly found in coral-rich areas and rubble zones.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Pomacanthidae. Grows up to 14 cm. Possesses a compressed oval body shape with a sharp preopercular spine.

Social Behavior: Solitary or haremic. Actively grazes on algae and detritus from rockwork throughout the day. Territorial with conspecifics.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Dark brown to black body with brilliant blue edges on the fins and a dusky blue spot behind the gill cover. Protogynous hermaphrodite; dominant females turn into males.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum 265 liters. Requires well-established rockwork with plenty of caves and crevices to encourage natural foraging and offer security.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivore. Provide a varied diet containing marine algae, spirulina, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysis, and brine shrimp.

Water Quality: Keep temperature at 22-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, and salinity at 1.020-1.025 SG. Good filtration and water movement are necessary.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Safe with caution in reefs. May nip at stony corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. Do not keep with other dwarf angelfish.

Aquarium Reproduction: Broadcast spawner in the water column at dusk. Rearing larvae in home aquariums is extremely difficult and rarely successful.

Risks and Diseases: Prone to marine ich and velvet under stress. Monitor coral health closely, as hungry individuals may damage corals.