Blueface angelfish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Indo-Pacific: from the Maldives to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef. Inhabits lagoons and outer reef slopes.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Part of the Pomacanthidae family. Large, oval body with preopercular cheek spine. Grows to 38 cm (15 inches) in length.

Social Behavior: Bold and territorial. Very aggressive towards other large angelfishes. Solitary nature in home aquariums.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Electric blue face mask, yellow-orange forehead, and body patterned with yellow and blue netting. Juveniles are dark blue with white vertical stripes. No sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a very large tank of at least 800 liters (210 gallons) with massive rockwork forming secure caves and swim-throughs.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous sponge-feeder. Provide food containing marine sponges, nori, spirulina pellets, and frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and chopped clams.

Water Quality: Keep standard marine parameters stable: temperature 24-28°C (75-82°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, and KH 8-12. Highly efficient skimming is needed.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Not reef safe. Will nip at stony and soft corals, clams, and anemones. Best kept in FOWLR systems or with unpalatable tankmates.

Aquarium Breeding: Unrecorded in domestic systems due to broadcast spawning habits and difficult larval requirements.

Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to marine ich and HLLE. Maintain high-quality water and feed vitamin-rich foods to prevent skin issues.