Arabian angelfish (Pomacanthus asfur) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Asfur angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf and East Africa to Zanzibar; sheltered coral reefs, 3–30 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
1000 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Needs a large tank with caves and crevices to retreat into, as it is shy in the wild. The minimum tank size of about 1000 litres is our own estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources. No species-specific water figures are given in the sources, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance rather than figures for this fish: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.020–1.025 (a fish-only system suits it). Keep conditions stable, with low nitrate and good oxygenation. Solitary and rather shy in the wild, staying near caves. Becomes more confident once settled but can be territorial towards other angelfish. Adults are dark blue-black with a bright yellow tail and a vertical yellow bar on the flank. Captive-bred fish are sometimes sold as half-moon angelfish, which is a different species (Pomacanthus maculosus), so check the scientific name. Infrequently traded and has been bred in captivity. IUCN: Least Concern. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomacanthusasfur). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Omnivore that mainly eats sponges and tunicates in the wild. Feed a varied diet several times a day: angelfish foods with sponge, frozen mysis and krill, marine algae and spirulina.

Breeding

Marine angelfish are pelagic broadcast spawners: a pair rises into the water column, usually around dusk, and releases eggs and sperm together. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite: in a pair the larger fish becomes the male. Captive breeding has been achieved commercially.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: it grazes sponges and tunicates and will pick at stony and soft corals, clam mantles and other sessile invertebrates. Best in a fish-only system with live rock. Keep one large angelfish per tank unless the system is very large; add it after more peaceful fish and alongside robust tankmates such as tangs, larger wrasses and triggerfish of similar size. Avoid small, slow or timid fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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