King Angelfish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Tropical Eastern Pacific, distributed from the Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galápagos Islands. Inhabits rocky reefs and coral reefs.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Pomacanthidae family, genus Holacanthus. Grows up to 35 cm (14 inches). High, dark brown or bluish body, characterized by a single vertical white stripe behind the pectoral fin.

Social Behavior: Territorial and aggressive. Establishes a dominant hierarchy in the aquarium, often attacking tankmates of similar size or other angelfish.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Bluish-brown body with a prominent vertical white bar behind the head. Dorsal and anal fins are trimmed in electric blue, tail is yellow. No sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a large tank of at least 750 liters with strong water flow. Create solid rock formations with wide caves, leaving plenty of open swimming area.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Requires sponge-based marine foods and algae. Feed nori, spirulina, krill, and commercial preparations containing frozen sponge.

Water Quality: Prefers slightly cooler temperatures of 22°C - 25°C, stable pH 8.1 - 8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, KH 8-12, GH 15-25. Keep water clean with heavy filtration.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Highly aggressive. Attacks other angelfish or similarly shaped species. Not reef-safe, as it will nip at hard corals and clams.

Aquarium Breeding: Not reproduced in home aquariums. In the wild, they are pair spawners releasing eggs into open water during warm seasons.

Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to marine ich and head and lateral line erosion (HLLE) if fed diets lacking sponge. Maintain water at slightly cooler ranges.