Apolemichthys xanthotis (Red Sea Yellowbar Angelfish): Breeding Guide

Apolemichthys xanthotis is a northwestern Indian Ocean angelfish living in pairs or small groups. As a pelagic-spawning pomacanthid it is not bred in home aquariums.

Overview

Apolemichthys xanthotis is a Pomacanthidae angelfish of the northwestern Indian Ocean, occurring in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf rather than being strictly Red Sea endemic. FishBase records a maximum length of 20 cm; depth estimates range from about 10 to 80 m. It probably feeds on algae, sponges and benthic invertebrates.

Sexing

No reliable external sexual dimorphism is documented for this species. As a member of the protogynous family Pomacanthidae, social sex determination is expected, but no species-specific sex-change study is available in the consulted sources.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Wikipedia and FishBase report it is typically encountered in pairs or small groups. Like other pomacanthids it is a pelagic spawner, with a pair releasing gametes into open water; detailed spawning observations for this species are not published.

Common Challenges

The pelagic eggs and planktonic larvae require hatchery-scale plankton culture, and the species can be difficult to feed in captivity. No captive breeding is documented, and trade stock is wild-caught.