Chaetodontoplus melanosoma (Black-velvet Angelfish): Breeding Guide

Chaetodontoplus melanosoma is a western Pacific angelfish found in pairs or alone. As a pelagic spawner it rarely breeds in aquaria and is not a home-breeding species.

Overview

Chaetodontoplus melanosoma is a Pomacanthidae angelfish of the western Pacific, occurring around central Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Wikipedia gives a maximum length of 20 cm and a depth of about 5 to 30 m on outer rocky or coastal reefs, often where strong currents or cool upwellings occur. It eats tunicates and sponges.

Sexing

Wikipedia describes the species as hermaphroditic. As in other pomacanthids functional sex is socially determined, and no reliable external sexual dimorphism is documented for routine identification.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Wikipedia notes the species may be observed in pairs or alone. Like other marine angelfish it is a pelagic spawner, with a pair releasing gametes into open water; detailed spawning observations for this species are not published.

Common Challenges

Wikipedia states these fish rarely breed in aquaria. The pelagic eggs and planktonic larvae require hatchery plankton culture, so reproduction is not achievable in home aquariums and trade stock is wild-caught.