Maze Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus cephalareticulatus
Also known as Maze Angel, Blue Maze Angelfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11 in (28 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 251 gal (950 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Reef safe
- Not reef safe
- Origin
- Northwest Pacific, Taiwan to central Japan
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
Plan on 950 litres or more with substantial rockwork, stable water at 22 to 26 C and a calm community. Captive-bred fish feed eagerly on pellets, mysis and nori, while wild fish have historically adapted poorly to aquarium life. It cannot be trusted with corals or clams, so keep it in a fish-only setting.
In the wild
The maze angelfish is found only in the northwest Pacific, from Taiwan north along southern Japan to the Pacific coast of central Japan. It keeps to rocky subtropical reefs and is rarely encountered, so much of what is known about it comes from a small number of collected fish. Like its relatives it grazes sponges and tunicates.
Good to know
Chaetodontoplus cephalareticulatus was described from northeastern Taiwan in 1975 and grows to around 28 cm, large for the genus. Adults carry a maze of pale blue lines and whorls over a dark body with an orange patterned face, and no two fish wear quite the same pattern. Juveniles start out velvety black with yellow markings.
Did you know
Wild maze angelfish almost never enter the aquarium trade, and the species sat on hobbyist wish lists for decades until Bali Aquarich began producing captive-bred juveniles.
Common questions
What size tank does a Maze Angelfish need?
A Maze Angelfish needs at least 251 gal (950 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Maze Angelfish need?
Maze Angelfish are comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do Maze Angelfish get?
An adult Maze Angelfish reaches about 11 in (28 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Saltwater fish · Saltwater angelfish · Advanced fish · FOWLR fish
Keeping Maze Angelfish?
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Related species
Scribbled Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus duboulayiSaltwater11 in (28 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
False Personifer Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus meredithiSaltwater11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Conspicuous Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus conspicillatusSaltwater9.8 in (25 cm)198 gal (750 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Personifer Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus personiferSaltwater13.8 in (35 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Blueline Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus septentrionalisSaltwater8.7 in (22 cm)185 gal (700 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Labyrinth Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus chrysocephalusSaltwater8.7 in (22 cm)151 gal (570 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)