Male Black Spot Angelfish - Large

Black Spot Angelfish

The Black Spot Angelfish's color depends on its sex. Males are silver with reddish-black zebra-like stripes running down their bodies. The stripes turn browner towards the tailfin. They morph into orange/yellow dots on the tail, which are also displayed on its dorsal and anal fins. The female is a pale silvery white color on her lower body. The upper body and dorsal fin are a light yellow color. Both the male and female have a swallow-shaped caudal fin. with a darker outline at the top and bottom. But the contrast between the outline and the middle of the caudal fin is much clearer on the female.

Males and females are easily distinguished by their different colors. Their social group often consists of a single male with a harem of 3 or 4 females. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, taking up to 30 days to change sex from female to male. The courting ritual involves the male using fin gestures and movements to attract a mate. If the female is receptive, the male will swim alongside her and his body will quiver with excitement. The female will extend her fins and the male will nuzzle her rear area. Then they roll on their sides and release eggs and sperm.

The Black Spot Angelfish is found in the Western-Pacific. Usually in places such as Fiji, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Its natural habitat is on coral-rich, offshore reefs, over sandy, rubble areas. They are normally seen at depths of 20-45 meters.

Tank Recommendations for the Black Spot Angelfish

The smallest tank size for a Black Spot Angelfish is 125 gallons (473 liters).

They need plenty of live rock for grazing, and rockwork arranged to create hiding places for them. Blackspot Angelfish don't nip at coral and are one of the few species of Angelfish that are reef safe.

It is important to maintain high water quality & provide strong water movement.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Black Spot Angelfish has a peaceful temperament. They can be kept as a mated pair or in a small harem of one male and several females.

Male conspecifics, males of the same genus, or similar colored males will fight.

Usually Compatible

Suitable companions include Gobies, Butterflyfish, Chromis, Clownfish, and Blennies.

Sometime Compatible

Care should be taken when housing with other planktivores such as Anthias.

Rarely Compatible

Avoid fish with an aggressive temperament, such as Triggerfish, Surgeonfish, and large Angelfish.

Feeding Your Black Spot Angelfish

The Black Spot Angelfish is omnivorous. It will consume algae and diatom in an aquarium. Its diet should include chopped fresh shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp. Suitable vegetable products include Angelfish preparations, nori seaweed. They also eat food flakes and pellets containing spirulina. Black Spot Angelfish should be fed in small amounts, several times per day.