Scribbled Angelfish Care Guide
Chaetodontoplus duboulayi is a marine angelfish from northern Australia and Indonesia, growing to about 28 cm.
Overview
Chaetodontoplus duboulayi, the scribbled angelfish, is a marine angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae described by Günther in 1867. It has a largely blue body marked with darker wavy lines, a yellow snout, and yellow fins. Males show sinuous blue lines along the flanks while females show yellow or blue spots.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Chaetodontoplus
- Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus duboulayi
Habitat
The species occurs in the southwestern Pacific along northern Australia, extending to parts of Indonesia, southern New Guinea, and south to Lord Howe Island. It is reef-associated, found at depths of 5 to 20 metres on coastal and inner reefs with rubble, soft bottoms, or outcrops of rock, coral, sponge, and seawhips.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 600 L (159 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
FishBase reports a preferred temperature range of about 24.9-29.3 °C for the species.
Diet
The scribbled angelfish is an omnivore. In the wild it feeds on benthic invertebrates, especially sponges and tunicates. In the aquarium a varied diet is offered around twice daily.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive, diurnal, mid-water angelfish. It is reef-keepable only with caution, as large angels may nip soft corals and sessile invertebrates. Conspecifics and other angels are best avoided; robust tankmates such as tangs, wrasses, and triggerfish suit it better.
Breeding
The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with dominant females capable of changing into males. It is an egg-layer, and captive breeding is considered expert-level.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009).