Majestic angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Blue girdled angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, Indonesia and the Philippines to northern Australia and Micronesia; coral-rich reef slopes and lagoons to about 40 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
700 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no
Lifespan
Up to 21 years years

Care

Provide a large tank with plenty of rock and hiding places. The minimum tank size of about 700 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. Territorial; usually solitary, occasionally in pairs or small groups. It has a long spine on the gill cover, so handle with care. Yellow-orange back and tail with dark blue spots, a dark blue lower body and face, and an electric-blue band separating the colours. Usually smaller than 30 cm; the article gives 28 cm. Occasionally kept. IUCN: Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomacanthusnavarchus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats sponges, tunicates, algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. Feed angelfish foods with sponge, frozen mysis, 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 that starts female and later becomes male. 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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