TankBud

Majestic angelfish

Pomacanthus navarchus

Also known as Blue-girdled Angelfish, Navarchus Angelfish, Blue-girdle Angelfish

SaltwaterFish

Majestic angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus)
Rickard Zerpe · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
145 gal
550 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Own kind
One male per tank
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Not reef safe
Family
Pomacanthidae
Origin
Western Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines east to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji

Overview

The majestic angelfish is a large, relatively shy angelfish for a big, mature saltwater tank. It is for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Captive-bred majestic angels are now produced commercially. Because they never encounter coral before entering your tank, tank-raised fish are often better behaved around corals than wild-caught ones.

Caring for the majestic angelfish

Give the majestic angelfish a large, mature tank of at least 145 gal (550 L), with heavy live rock and caves. It needs a sponge-rich system, and it tends to fare poorly if introduced to an immature tank.

Keep the water pristine and stable, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It is considered one of the more delicate large angels, and it is sensitive to water quality. Feed a varied diet high in both algae and marine protein, several times a day.

The majestic angelfish is mostly peaceful and safe with community fish. It shows aggression mainly toward other angels, including its own kind, so keep only one per tank. It is not reef safe. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Pomacanthus navarchus belongs to the family Pomacanthidae and also goes by blue-girdled angelfish and navarchus angelfish. It is named for its striking pattern of a blue-bordered orange body with a blue mask and yellow tail. Like other Pomacanthus, juveniles wear a different blue-and-white barred pattern and transform as they mature.

In the wild

Majestic angels live on protected coastal and lagoon reefs of the western Pacific. Their range runs from Indonesia and the Philippines east to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji. They usually keep to areas rich in sponge, tunicate and coral growth, often near caves and ledges at moderate depth. They are more secretive than emperor angels and stay close to shelter.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The majestic angelfish is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. Keep only one male per tank. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a majestic angelfish need?

A majestic angelfish needs at least 145 gal (550 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a majestic angelfish need?

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

What does a majestic angelfish eat?

A majestic angelfish needs a varied diet high in both algae and marine protein. Feed it several times a day.

How big does a majestic angelfish get?

An adult majestic angelfish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Related species