Queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Golden angelfish, Yellow angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Western Atlantic, Florida and Gulf of Mexico through the Caribbean to Brazil, plus Bermuda; coral reefs from the shallows to 70 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
45 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 and swimming space. 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. In the wild a male keeps a harem of two to four females. Adults swim alone or in pairs; juveniles clean parasites from other fish. Blue-green to tan with yellow-edged scales, a yellow tail and electric-blue fin edges, plus a dark crown spot ringed in blue on the forehead. Hybridises with the blue angelfish. Highly valued in the trade; Brazil is a major exporter. Released aquarium fish have turned up in the Mediterranean and Red Sea, so never release fish. 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/Holacanthusciliaris). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A selective feeder that eats mostly sponges, plus tunicates, jellyfish, corals, plankton and algae. Juveniles adapt to aquarium foods better than adults. 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. Spawns around the full moon; females release 25,000–75,000 floating eggs a day, which hatch in 15–20 hours. 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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