Cortez angelfish (Pomacanthus zonipectus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Eastern Pacific, northern Gulf of California to Peru; rocky reefs at 6–50 m, juveniles also in tide pools
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
46 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
1100 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Needs a very large tank with plenty of rock to graze and room to swim; adults range widely in the wild. The minimum tank size of about 1100 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. Active by day. Adults live in pairs; juveniles are solitary and territorial. Adults are dark grey-brown with a curved yellow bar and dark bands behind the head; juveniles are dark with curved blue and yellow bars. Only occasionally in the trade. 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/Pomacanthuszonipectus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly sponges in the wild, plus tunicates, algae, bryozoans, hydroids and fish eggs picked from the rocks. Offer angelfish foods with sponge, frozen mysis and krill, chopped seafood and marine algae several times a day.

Breeding

Marine angelfish are pelagic broadcast spawners: a pair rises into the water column, usually around dusk, and releases eggs and sperm together. Spawns from midsummer to early autumn in the wild and appears to pair for life. Not bred in home aquaria.

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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