Queen Angelfish care guide
Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) — minimum tank 800 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
The Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is a large Western Atlantic angelfish reaching about 45 cm. Adults are vivid blue and yellow with an electric-blue "crown" of scales on the forehead — a feature absent in the similar Blue Angelfish (H. bermudensis). Juveniles are dark blue with vertical white bars.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Holacanthus
- Scientific name: Holacanthus ciliaris
Habitat
Endemic to the tropical Western Atlantic from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico through the Bahamas, Caribbean and Brazil. Adults occupy coral-rich reefs, walls and lagoon flats from about 3 to 70 m depth.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 800 L (211.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 35-45 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 15-20 years
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
Diet
An omnivore that grazes primarily on sponges, tunicates and algae. In captivity it requires sponge-based angel formulas, frozen mysis and krill, enriched brine shrimp, dried algae and occasional clam-on-the-shell. A varied diet is essential to prevent head-and-lateral-line erosion.
Compatibility
Territorial and intolerant of conspecifics and other large angels; one per tank in a very large system. Compatible with similarly robust marine fish — large tangs, triggers, groupers and other large angels of different genera in FOWLR setups.
Reef compatibility
Not reef-safe. Adults eagerly sample sponges, soft and stony coral polyps and clam mantles, so the species is restricted to fish-only or FOWLR systems.
Breeding
A pelagic broadcast spawner that forms temporary monogamous pairs. Hybridisation with the closely related Blue Angelfish is documented where ranges overlap. Captive breeding is rare and the trade is supplied by wild collection.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species remains widespread across the Western Atlantic; ornamental collection is managed under regional fishery rules.