Half-moon angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Yellow bar angelfish, Yellowbar angelfish, Yellow-marked angelfish, Yellowband angelfish, Yellow-blotched angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman; sheltered areas of coral and silt, 4–50 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
50 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
1200 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no
Lifespan
Up to about 36 years years

Care

Needs a very large tank with plenty of open swimming space and sturdy rockwork. The minimum tank size of about 1200 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. Usually solitary and described by divers as curious rather than shy. Territorial towards other large angelfish. Blue body with a single yellow patch on the side; juveniles are dark blue with pale curved stripes. It is long-lived, with records of about 36 years. Occasionally collected for the trade and sold in fish markets around the Persian Gulf. 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/Pomacanthusmaculosus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly sponges and tunicates, plus other invertebrates when available. Feed 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. Protogynous hermaphrodite: females mature at about five and a half years and some later become males. 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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