Zebra angelfish
Genicanthus caudovittatus
Also known as Red Sea Swallowtail Angelfish, Zebra Swallowtail Angelfish, Eastern Zebra Angelfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 90 gal
- 340 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Origin
- Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean south to South Africa, on outer reef slopes.
Overview
The zebra angelfish is a peaceful swallowtail angel that fits a mixed reef well. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The zebra angelfish and the other swallowtail angels eat drifting plankton instead of coral. That is why the whole genus is trusted in reef tanks where other angels are not.
Caring for the zebra angelfish
Set up at least 90 gal (340 L) for the zebra angelfish, with open water for cruising and some current. Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.
Feed frequent small meals of mysis, enriched brine and prepared foods to match its planktivorous diet. It picks at sponges and bryozoans but leaves corals and clams alone.
You can keep a male with one or more females. Males are barred, while females are plainer. Breeding zebra angelfish is hard.
Good to know
The zebra angelfish, Genicanthus caudovittatus, is a swallowtail angel in the family Pomacanthidae. Its long, trailing tail lobes give it the swallowtail name. Females can change into males.
In the wild
The zebra angelfish lives on outer reef slopes in the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean, south to South Africa. It hovers in open water above the reef slope, picking plankton, unlike the rock-grazing large angels. Males and females swim together in loose harems.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The zebra angelfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Coral beauty angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Saltwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Majestic angelfish
Pomacanthus navarchus
Saltwater11.8 in (30 cm) · 145 gal (550 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Melanurus wrasse
Halichoeres melanurus
Saltwater5.5 in (14 cm) · 100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Gold-specs jawfish
Opistognathus randalli
Saltwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a zebra angelfish need?
A zebra angelfish needs at least 90 gal (340 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a zebra angelfish need?
A zebra angelfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a zebra angelfish eat?
A zebra angelfish eats frequent small meals of mysis, enriched brine and prepared foods. It also picks at sponges and bryozoans.
How big does a zebra angelfish get?
An adult zebra angelfish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
How can you tell a male zebra angelfish from a female?
Males are barred, while females are plainer in pattern.
Related species
7.1 in (18 cm)85 gal (320 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bellus angelfish
Genicanthus bellus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 85 gal (320 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)124 gal (470 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Lamarck's angelfish
Genicanthus lamarck
9.8 in (25 cm) · 124 gal (470 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Watanabei angelfish
Genicanthus watanabei
5.9 in (15 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)106 gal (400 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Swallowtail angelfish
Genicanthus melanospilos
7.1 in (18 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Keyhole angelfish
Centropyge tibicen
7.9 in (20 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)125 gal (475 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Red Sea angelfish
Apolemichthys xanthotis
7.9 in (20 cm) · 125 gal (475 L)