Apolemichthys xanthurus (Indian Yellowtail Angelfish): Breeding Guide

Apolemichthys xanthurus is a western Indian Ocean angelfish living singly or in pairs. As a pelagic-spawning pomacanthid it is not bred in home aquariums.

Overview

Apolemichthys xanthurus is a small Pomacanthidae angelfish of the western Indian Ocean, ranging from the Mascarenes and Maldives to Sri Lanka and the eastern coast of India. FishBase records a maximum length of 15 cm; Wikipedia gives a depth range of 5 to 85 m on coral and rocky reefs. It feeds on crustaceans, sponges and algae.

Sexing

No reliable external sexual dimorphism is documented for this species. As a marine angelfish in the protogynous family Pomacanthidae, sex is expected to be socially determined, but species-specific sex-change data are not recorded in the consulted sources.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

FishBase and Wikipedia report the species is found singly or in pairs on reefs. Like other pomacanthids it is a pelagic spawner, with a pair releasing eggs and milt into open water where the eggs drift as plankton; detailed spawning observations for this species are not published.

Common Challenges

Although Wikipedia notes it is one of the hardier angelfish to maintain, its pelagic eggs and planktonic larvae still require hatchery plankton culture. No captive breeding is documented, and trade animals are wild-caught.