Blueface angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Yellowface angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Eastern Indo-Pacific, Maldives to Indonesia, the Philippines, northern Australia and Micronesia; lagoons and reef slopes to about 25 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
1000 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Needs a large tank with caves among the rocks and good open swimming space. 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 1.023–1.026. Keep conditions stable, with low nitrate and good oxygenation. Lives alone or in pairs, often near caves. Usually tolerant of unrelated fish but territorial towards other angelfish. Blue face mask with yellow around the eyes, a yellow pectoral area and a dark eyespot on the rear of the dorsal fin; the body scales are blue edged with yellow. The article gives 38 cm. Uncommon in the trade, usually shipped via the Philippines and Singapore. 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/Pomacanthusxanthometopon). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats tunicates, sponges and other encrusting animals plus algae. Feed a varied diet several times a day: angelfish preparations 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. Scatters its eggs into the water. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Listed as reef safe with caution: it may leave some hardy corals alone but is likely to nip large-polyp stony corals, zoanthids, clam mantles and sponges. Keep one large angelfish per tank with robust tankmates such as tangs and larger wrasses.

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

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