Bellus Angelfish
Genicanthus bellus
Also known as Ornate Angelfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 7.1 in (18 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 85 gal (320 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Eastern Indian Ocean and Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands to the Philippines, Palau, and the Society Islands
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
Bellus angelfish are peaceful planktivores that ignore corals and clams, making them a solid reef-safe choice, though a hungry fish will occasionally pick at fleshy LPS or clam mantles, so keep it well fed. Males spar with each other, so house a single fish, a pair, or one male with a small group of females rather than two males together. Offer small meals of mysis, enriched brine shrimp, and marine algae several times a day, especially while it settles in.
In the wild
Bellus angelfish live deep on Indo-Pacific outer reef slopes and drop-offs, mostly between 50 and 100 meters and occasionally shallower, well below where most reef fish in the hobby are collected. Small groups school along the current-swept edge of the reef, feeding on plankton in open water. A tank should offer plenty of open swimming space over live rock, dim lighting at first while the fish settles in, and a tight-fitting lid, since this species is a known jumper.
Good to know
Genicanthus bellus reaches about 18 cm. Males are silvery grey with a yellow horizontal stripe, while females are white with an iridescent blue sheen and black striping running from the gills to the tail, different enough that the sexes are easy to tell apart on sight. It lives in harems in the wild and can change sex from female to male, and because it is collected from such deep water it tends to ship more delicately than shallow-reef angelfish.
Did you know
Because it lives so deep on the reef, this species was one of the last Genicanthus angels to become regularly available in the hobby, and it was not successfully captive-bred until 2017.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Bellus Angelfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Zebra Angelfish
Genicanthus caudovittatus7.9 in (20 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Watanabei Angelfish
Genicanthus watanabei5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Lamarck's Angelfish
Genicanthus lamarck9.8 in (25 cm)124 gal (470 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Swallowtail Angelfish
Genicanthus melanospilos7.1 in (18 cm)106 gal (400 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Bandit Angelfish
Apolemichthys arcuatus7.1 in (18 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Vermiculated Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus7.1 in (18 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)