TankBud

African angelfish

Holacanthus africanus

Also known as West African Angelfish, Guinean Angelfish, Africanus Angelfish

SaltwaterFish

African angelfish (Holacanthus africanus)
Reeffish · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
17.7 in
45 cm
Minimum tank
251 gal
950 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Not reef safe
Family
Pomacanthidae
Origin
Tropical West Africa

Overview

The African angelfish is a large, bold fish for a big fish-only saltwater display. It is hardy for a big angel and suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The African angelfish's change from blue juvenile to olive adult is so gradual that no two young fish look alike for long. Sellers of captive-bred stock will not promise what pattern a growing fish will show next month.

Caring for the African angelfish

Give an African angelfish a fish-only display of at least 251 gal (950 L). Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It is a grazer that picks at coral polyps, soft corals and clams, so it is not reef safe.

The African angelfish is aggressive and solitary. Adults claim territory and push smaller or similar-shaped tank mates around, so choose companions with caution. It often becomes an interactive pet that greets its keeper at the glass. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Holacanthus africanus is the only member of its genus in the eastern Atlantic. Aquarium adults usually stay nearer 30 cm than the recorded maximum. Juveniles are deep blue and black with a pale body bar. They shift through patchy in-between stages to an olive and tan adult with a dark chest.

In the wild

The African angelfish lives along the tropical West African coast, from Senegal south to Angola. Its range includes the Cape Verde Islands and the Gulf of Guinea islands. It favors shallow rocky reefs and coral patches, often in turbid water where few other angelfish occur.

Common questions

What size tank does an African angelfish need?

An African angelfish needs at least 251 gal (950 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an African angelfish need?

An African angelfish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does an African angelfish eat?

An African angelfish is a grazer that picks at coral polyps, soft corals and clams. That habit is why it does not belong in a reef tank.

How big does an African angelfish get?

An adult African angelfish reaches about 17.7 in (45 cm).

Related species