Vermiculated Angelfish
Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus
Also known as Singapore Angelfish, Vermiculated Angel, Mesoleucus Angelfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 7.1 in (18 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal (250 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Indo-West Pacific from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, on coastal and lagoon reefs with live rock.
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
Provide a mature tank of at least 250 litres with lots of live rock for grazing and calm, non-aggressive tankmates at 24 to 27 C. It can be a picky eater at first, so offer spirulina, angelfish preparations, mysis and plenty of algae-covered rock. It nips many corals, so it suits FOWLR setups or reefs only with caution. Introduce it as a juvenile for the best chance of acclimation.
In the wild
The vermiculated angelfish has a white front, black-barred face and fine maze-like scribbling on the rear body. It grazes live rock for algae, diatoms and small growth on coastal reefs. It is a shy, mid-sized angel that likes to weave in and out of rockwork. Some individuals settle in quickly while others stay timid.
Good to know
Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus grows to about 18 cm and was first successfully bred and reared in a hatchery only recently, in 2025. Its fine worm-like body pattern gives the vermiculated name. It belongs to the same genus as the scribbled and greytail angels.
Did you know
It was first bred and raised in a hatchery in 2025, making it one of the most recently captive-bred marine angelfish.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Vermiculated Angelfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Bandit Angelfish
Apolemichthys arcuatus7.1 in (18 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Swallowtail Angelfish
Genicanthus melanospilos7.1 in (18 cm)106 gal (400 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Keyhole Angelfish
Centropyge tibicen7.9 in (20 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Bicolor Angelfish
Centropyge bicolor5.9 in (15 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Eibli Angelfish
Centropyge eibli5.9 in (15 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Centropyge flavissima5.5 in (14 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)