Personifer angelfish (Chaetodontoplus meridithii) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Queensland yellowtail angelfish, Meredith's angelfish, Yellow-finned angelfish, Yellowtail angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Eastern Australia, Cape York to Sydney, and Lord Howe Island; rocky and coral outcrops, 10–50 m, adults mostly below 30 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
37 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

Care

Provide a large tank with rock, caves and overhangs. 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. Adults usually live in pairs, sometimes alone; juveniles shelter among sponges. Dark body with a yellow tail, yellow-edged fins and a blue-spotted face. The list gives 37 cm but the Wikipedia article gives 25 cm. The species name is usually spelt meredithi in other references. 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/Chaetodontoplusmeridithii). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats sponges and tunicates. Offer angelfish foods containing sponge, frozen mysis, chopped seafood and marine algae in several feeds 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. Details are not recorded in the article. 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.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.