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Yellowbar Angelfish

Pomacanthus maculosus

Also known as Maculosus Angelfish, Yellowband Angelfish, Map Angelfish, Yellow-bar Angelfish

SaltwaterFish
Yellowbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus)
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
19.7 in (50 cm)
Minimum tank
180 gal (680 L)
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Origin
Red Sea, western Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, on coastal and inshore reefs including silty areas.
Family
Pomacanthidae

Overview

Plan on at least 680 litres of open water with big rock caves at 24 to 28 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. It is one of the hardier large angels and readily eats spirulina, marine algae, mysis and angelfish preparations, but it is semi-aggressive, so keep one per tank with sturdy tankmates. It nips stony and soft corals and clam mantles, so it is reef safe only with caution. Best suited to fish-only or robust mixed systems.

In the wild

The yellowbar angelfish is a large blue angel marked with a bright yellow bar across the mid-body. It lives on coastal reefs and tolerates silty inshore water well. Adults graze sponges and algae over live rock. It is a hardy fish that grows large and becomes dominant.

Good to know

Pomacanthus maculosus grows to about 50 cm and is common across the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf and East Africa. The broad yellow saddle distinguishes it from similar Pomacanthus. Juveniles are dark blue with pale curved lines.

Did you know

It shrugs off the murky inshore water that would stress many reef angels, which is part of why it is so hardy in aquariums.

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 · Monster fish

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