Queen Angelfish

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingDemanding tank care

  Demands pristine water — frequent testing and meticulous upkeep.

• Living spaceLarge tank

  Needs a large aquarium — several hundred liters.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment15–25 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Parasites · Nutritional deficiency

The Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is found in the western Atlantic from Florida to Brazil and grows to about 40 to 45 cm. Adults are blue-green with yellow-rimmed scales, bright yellow fins and the distinctive blue-ringed black spot on the crown. Juveniles are dark with curved blue bars and act as cleaners on the reef. This is a fish for a very large fish-only system of 900 litres or more, at 24-27C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, with big caves and long swimming runs. Its natural diet is dominated by sponges, so a captive diet must be built around sponge-containing angelfish preparations, supplemented with algae sheets, mysis, clam and quality pellets three times a day. It is hardy once settled and can live over twenty years. Be direct about the constraints: it is definitively not reef safe, adults are aggressive toward other angels, and it is a lifelong commitment in a room-sized aquarium rather than a display fish for a standard tank.

• How active is a Queen Angelfish?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Queen Angelfish need?

  Demanding tank care. Demands pristine water — frequent testing and meticulous upkeep.

• What tank size does a Queen Angelfish need?

  Large tank. Needs a large aquarium — several hundred liters.

• Is a Queen Angelfish a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Queen Angelfish live?

  15–25 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Queen Angelfish?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Parasites, Nutritional deficiency. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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