Scribbled angelfish (Chaetodontoplus duboulayi) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
South-western Pacific: northern Australia from Shark Bay to Moreton Bay, Aru Islands and southern New Guinea; inshore reefs, rubble and rock, 5–20 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
25 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 rockwork, caves and open sandy areas. 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. Usually found in small groups in the wild. Dark blue with wavy pale blue scribble-like lines, a yellow band behind the head and a yellow tail. The article gives up to 28 cm. Highly prized; once exported only occasionally, it is more available now and has been bred in captivity, but still sells for high prices. IUCN: Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaetodontoplusduboulayi). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats bottom-living invertebrates, especially sponges and tunicates. Offer angelfish foods with 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. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Spawning has been studied in aquarium fish, with 5,000–33,000 eggs per spawning, and captive breeding has succeeded.

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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