Yellowtail angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthurus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Cream angelfish, Smoke angelfish, Yellowtail black angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indian Ocean: Mascarenes, Maldives, Sri Lanka and eastern India, east to Myanmar and Thailand; coral and rocky reefs, 5–85 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Provide plenty of rock with caves and grazing surfaces. The minimum tank size of about 300 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 alone or in pairs. Hardy once settled. Grey-cream body with dark-edged scales, a dark face and a bright yellow tail. Common in the trade and among the hardiest and easiest marine angelfish to keep. Exports from the Maldives have been restricted at times. IUCN: Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolemichthysxanthurus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats crustaceans, sponges and algae. Feed a varied diet of frozen mysis and krill, angelfish foods with sponge, marine algae and quality pellets two or three 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. Breeding details are not recorded in the article. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: it will nip sponges, soft and stony corals and clam mantles. Suits a fish-only tank with live rock. Avoid other angelfish of a similar size and shape.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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