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
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Not reef safe
Origin: Western Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines east to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji
Family: Pomacanthidae

Overview

A large but relatively shy angelfish that shows aggression mainly toward other angels, including its own kind, so it is kept one per tank. It needs a mature sponge-rich system and a varied diet high in both algae and marine protein, fed several times a day. Its difficult rating comes from sensitivity to water quality and a tendency to fare poorly if introduced to an immature tank.

In the wild

Majestic angels inhabit protected coastal and lagoon reefs of the western Pacific, usually in 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. In the aquarium they need a large mature tank with heavy live rock, caves, and pristine stable water.

Good to know

Pomacanthus navarchus reaches about 30 cm. 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. It is considered one of the more delicate large angels, demanding excellent water quality.

Did you know

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