Bellus Angel (Genicanthus bellus) Care Guide

Genicanthus bellus, the ornate or bellus angelfish, is a deep-water reef-safe swallowtail angel from the Indo-Pacific with strong sexual dichromatism.

Overview

Genicanthus bellus, the ornate or bellus angelfish, is a swallowtail angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae. FishBase records a maximum length of about 18.0 cm. The species is markedly sexually dichromatic: per Wikipedia, females show greyish to bluish bodies with wide black bands and a blue longitudinal stripe, while males are pale bluish-grey with horizontal golden stripes along the flanks.

Taxonomy

• Family: Pomacanthidae
• Genus: Genicanthus
• Scientific name: Genicanthus bellus
• Common synonyms: ornate angelfish, bellus lyretail angelfish

Habitat

FishBase reports an Indo-Pacific range including the Cocos-Keeling Atoll, the Philippines, Palau, Guam, the Cook and Society islands and Tonga. It is a deep-water species: FishBase gives a depth range of 24-110 m, usually 50-100 m, where it schools along steep current-swept outer reef drop-offs.

Tank requirements

• Minimum tank volume: 700 L (185 gal)
• Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• dKH (carbonate hardness): 8-12
• Lifespan: 10-15 years

Diet

The species feeds on plankton according to FishBase, and Wikipedia adds that it also takes benthic invertebrates such as polychaetes and bryozoans and some algae. In aquaria provide frequent small feedings of meaty planktonic foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp.

Compatibility

It is a peaceful, mid-water angel. FishBase notes that it forms harems of 3-7 individuals. Suitable companions include tangs, wrasses, anthias and clownfish, while aggressive large Pomacanthus angels are best avoided.

Reef compatibility

As a planktivore it is regarded as reef-safe and generally ignores corals. Coming from deep water, it benefits from subdued lighting and stable conditions, with specific gravity around 1.024-1.026 and carbonate hardness of 8-12 dKH.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009), as reported by FishBase.