Asfur angelfish
Pomacanthus asfur
Also known as Arabian Angelfish, Asfur Angel, Crescent Angelfish, Half-moon Angelfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 15.7 in
- 40 cm
- Minimum tank
- 156 gal
- 590 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Origin
- Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the western Arabian Sea, on coral reefs and rubble near shelter.
Overview
The Asfur angelfish suits a big saltwater tank and is more manageable than most large angels. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Asfur angelfish has a crescent bar that is narrower and more moon-shaped than the yellowbar angel's. That bar is the quickest way to tell the two apart.
Caring for the Asfur angelfish
Keep a single Asfur angelfish in at least 156 gal (590 L). Give it plenty of rock shelter along with open water for swimming.
Aim for water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It usually adapts well to spirulina, marine algae, mysis and angelfish preparations.
The Asfur angelfish is mostly peaceful, and adults are territorial but not as bruising as some large angels. Add it after calmer fish have settled, and choose its tank mates with caution. It has a taste for large-polyp stony corals, some soft corals and clam mantles, so it is reef safe only with caution.
Good to know
The Asfur angelfish is closely related to the yellowbar angelfish, in the family Pomacanthidae. It carries a bold yellow crescent and a yellow tail on a deep blue body, and it is prized for its clean, high-contrast colors. Juveniles show the pale-barred pattern typical of the genus. It also goes by Arabian angelfish, crescent angelfish and half-moon angelfish.
In the wild
The Asfur angelfish lives in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the western Arabian Sea, on coral reefs and rubble near shelter. It stays near caves and overhangs and darts back to cover when startled.
Common questions
What size tank does an Asfur angelfish need?
An Asfur angelfish needs at least 156 gal (590 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Asfur angelfish need?
An Asfur angelfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does an Asfur angelfish eat?
An Asfur angelfish usually adapts well to spirulina, marine algae, mysis and angelfish preparations.
How big does an Asfur angelfish get?
An adult Asfur angelfish reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).
Related species
15.7 in (40 cm)185 gal (700 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Koran angelfish
Pomacanthus semicirculatus
15.7 in (40 cm) · 185 gal (700 L)
16.1 in (41 cm)201 gal (760 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)French angelfish
Pomacanthus paru
16.1 in (41 cm) · 201 gal (760 L)
15 in (38 cm)219 gal (830 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Blueface angelfish
Pomacanthus xanthometopon
15 in (38 cm) · 219 gal (830 L)
15 in (38 cm)185 gal (700 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Emperor angelfish
Pomacanthus imperator
15 in (38 cm) · 185 gal (700 L)
17.7 in (45 cm)219 gal (830 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Annularis angelfish
Pomacanthus annularis
17.7 in (45 cm) · 219 gal (830 L)
19.7 in (50 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Yellowbar angelfish
Pomacanthus maculosus
19.7 in (50 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)