Eared Angel (Pomacanthus chrysurus) Care Guide
Pomacanthus chrysurus, the goldtail angelfish, is a Western Indian Ocean angel that is seldom seen in the aquarium trade.
Overview
Pomacanthus chrysurus, the goldtail or eared angelfish, is a marine angel of the family Pomacanthidae. FishBase records a maximum length of about 33.0 cm standard length and notes that juveniles display stripes on the head. It is seldom seen in the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Pomacanthus
- Scientific name: Pomacanthus chrysurus
Habitat
FishBase reports a Western Indian Ocean range from the Gulf of Aden to Natal, South Africa, including the Seychelles, Comoros and Madagascar. It is marine, reef-associated and non-migratory, inhabiting coral-rich reefs at depths of about 1-25 m in tropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1000 L (264 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- dKH (carbonate hardness): 8-12
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet
FishBase gives the species a trophic level of about 2.6, indicating omnivorous feeding. In aquaria a varied diet including sponge-based angelfish foods, marine algae and meaty foods is appropriate, offered in frequent feedings.
Compatibility
This is a large, semi-aggressive angel best housed in spacious systems. Suitable companions include tangs in large tanks, triggers and large wrasses, while small or timid fish may be intimidated.
Reef compatibility
Large Pomacanthus angels generally pick at sessile invertebrates, so this species is not considered reliably reef-safe and may damage corals, sponges and tunicates. It is best kept in fish-only systems. Maintain 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. FishBase notes low resilience with a population doubling time of about 4.5-14 years.