French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) Care Guide
Pomacanthus paru, the French angelfish, is a large Western Atlantic angel whose juveniles act as cleaners and whose adults feed largely on sponges.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pomacanthus paru, the French angelfish, is a large marine angel of the family Pomacanthidae. FishBase records a maximum length of about 41.1 cm, with a common length around 28.0 cm. Juveniles are black with vertical yellow bars and lighten as they mature.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Pomacanthus
- Scientific name: Pomacanthus paru
Habitat
FishBase reports a Western Atlantic range from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, with records in the Eastern Atlantic near Ascension Island and St. Paul's Rocks. It is marine, reef-associated and non-migratory at depths of about 3-100 m.
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 reports that the species feeds on sponges, algae, bryozoans, zoantharians, gorgonians and tunicates; Wikipedia notes that around 70% of the adult diet is sponges. Juveniles operate as cleaner fish. In aquaria a varied diet including sponge-based angelfish foods and marine algae is required.
Compatibility
This is a large, semi-aggressive angel. FishBase notes that adults are monogamous and territorial, typically found in pairs, while juveniles tend cleaning stations servicing many client species. Suitable companions include tangs in large tanks, triggers and large wrasses.
Reef compatibility
Because adults feed heavily on sponges and other sessile invertebrates, the species is not considered 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.
French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru): Breeding Guide
Overview
Pomacanthus paru, the French angelfish, occurs in the Western Atlantic from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, with isolated Eastern Atlantic records. FishBase gives a maximum total length of about 41 cm and a depth range of roughly 3 to 100 m, and the species can live to around 27 years.
Adults feed on sponges, algae, bryozoans, zoantharians, gorgonians and tunicates, so they are not reef-safe, while juveniles act as part-time cleaners at reef stations. Sexual maturity is reached around 23 cm.
Sexing
Males and females are not separable by colour. The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so a female can change sex to become a male if no male is present. Pairs are usually established by raising fish together rather than by visual sexing.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
French angelfish show apparent permanent pairing and monogamy, and spawning pairs are strongly territorial, with both partners vigorously defending their area. At spawning, the pair swims upward in a wide, shallow curve from the substrate, travelling roughly 7 to 10 m horizontally while climbing 2 to 3 m, and brings their vents very close together, even touching, as they release gametes.
This behaviour has only ever been reported right around sunset or dusk, identifying twilight as the natural spawning trigger.
Egg & Fry Care
Fertilization is external and the eggs are pelagic, floating up into the plankton. The larvae that hatch are minute and adapted to open-ocean drift, depending on natural micro-plankton.
Because the eggs disperse into the water column and the larvae need ocean plankton, there is no nest to manage and no practical way to feed the fry in a home system; the consulted sources report no home-rearing of this species.
Common Challenges
- Spawning is a dusk water-column event, so eggs are scattered rather than laid on a guarded surface.
- Larvae are planktonic and require micro-foods not available in aquaria.
- A monogamous pair defends a large territory, so spacious conditions are needed before spawning is even likely.