Conspicuous Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus

Also known as Conspic Angelfish, Spectacled Angelfish, Conspicillatus Angelfish

SaltwaterFish

Conspicuous Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus) — (c) jeyre, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Adult size: 9.8 in (25 cm)
Minimum tank: 198 gal (750 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Very rare
Reef safe: Reef safe with caution
Origin: Coral Sea, southern Great Barrier Reef to New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island
Family: Pomacanthidae

Overview

Give it a mature aquarium of at least 750 litres with generous rockwork for grazing and hiding at 22 to 26 C. It should be the only large angelfish in the tank, fed several times a day on angelfish preparations that include sponge, plus mysis, spirulina and nori. Wild fish can be slow to settle, so captive-bred stock is worth seeking out.

In the wild

The conspicuous angelfish lives on coral and rocky reefs of the Coral Sea, from the southern Great Barrier Reef and central New South Wales out to New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. Adults hold to deeper reef slopes while juveniles settle in protected harbours and bays. It is usually seen alone or in pairs, grazing on sponges and tunicates.

Good to know

Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus reaches about 25 cm and was described by Edgar Waite in 1900. The species name means spectacled, after the bright blue ring around each eye that stands out against the yellow face. Its island strongholds sit at subtropical latitudes, so wild fish see milder water than most reef angelfish.

Did you know

This is one of the most expensive angelfish in the hobby. Wild adults have sold for several thousand dollars, and the first captive-bred fish from the Bali Aquarich hatchery cost even more.