Yellow Bar Angel (Pomacanthus maculosus) Care Guide
Pomacanthus maculosus, the yellowbar angelfish, is a large angel of the Persian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean that can live for decades.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pomacanthus maculosus, the yellowbar angelfish, is a large marine angel of the family Pomacanthidae. FishBase records a maximum length of about 50.0 cm standard length, with sexual maturity at around 21.6 cm and a maximum reported age of up to 36 years.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Pomacanthus
- Scientific name: Pomacanthus maculosus
Habitat
FishBase reports a Western Indian Ocean range from the Persian Gulf to the coast of Mozambique, with additional records noted for the Mediterranean and parts of the Atlantic. It is marine, reef-associated and non-migratory, inhabiting silty reef areas more often than dense coral, at depths of about 4-60 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1200 L (317 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 2.8, 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 that requires a spacious system. 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.
Yellow Bar Angel (Pomacanthus maculosus): Breeding Guide
Overview
Pomacanthus maculosus, the Yellowbar or Yellowband angel, occurs in the western Indian Ocean from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea south to Mozambique, with introduced records reported elsewhere. FishBase lists a maximum standard length of about 50 cm, a maximum reported age of around 36 years, and a depth range of roughly 4 to 60 m, often in silty reef areas rather than rich coral.
The species feeds on sponges, algae and tunicates, so it is not reef-safe. Juveniles differ markedly from adults in colour, and sexual maturity is reached at around 21.6 cm.
Sexing
Sexes cannot be told apart by external colour. As in the genus, a breeding pair is typically formed by raising fish together and letting the dominant individual become the functional male.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase records the species as oviparous and spawning in pairs. As with other large Pomacanthus, the paired fish rise off the reef to release eggs and sperm into the open water column, where fertilization is external and the gametes drift away on the current.
Species-specific timing is not given in the consulted sources; related large angels spawn at dusk, so twilight is the expected trigger for pelagic pair spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are pelagic and float into the plankton, hatching into minute larvae that depend on natural ocean micro-plankton during a long larval phase.
Because the eggs disperse in open water and the larvae need ocean plankton, there is no nest to manage, and the consulted sources report no home-rearing of this species, though related Red Sea angels are propagated commercially.
Common Challenges
- Pelagic eggs disperse in open water, leaving no clutch to guard.
- Larvae need micro-plankton first foods unavailable in aquaria.
- Adults reach about 50 cm, so a suitable breeding system is impractical for hobbyists.