Blue-ringed Angelfish
Pomacanthus annularis
Also known as: Bluering angelfish, Blueringed angelfish, Blueringed Angelfish, Ringed Angelfish
A large Indo-Pacific angel whose juvenile and adult look like two different fish.
About
The blue-ringed angelfish (Pomacanthus annularis) is one of those species that genuinely surprises people when they learn the juvenile and adult forms belong to the same fish. Young individuals wear the classic pomacanthid pattern of alternating white and dark curved lines on a deep blue body, while adults transform into something almost unrecognizable. Warm brownish-orange with a network of blue lines sweeping across the flanks and a bold blue ring behind the gill cover that gives the species its name. In the wild, this fish ranges widely across the Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa through Indonesia and up toward southern Japan. Adults tend to hang around caves and overhangs on coastal reefs, often in pairs, where they graze on sponges and tunicates. Juveniles, by contrast, settle into very shallow nearshore areas with algae-covered rock or dead coral. In the aquarium, this is a fish that rewards patience and planning. It grows large, genuinely large, and needs a spacious tank with solid filtration and plenty of live rock for grazing and territory. Care is considered intermediate, and it can coexist with suitable tankmates, but its size and dietary needs put it beyond the reach of a casual or smaller setup.
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From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Blue-ringed Angelfish get?
- The Blue-ringed Angelfish reaches about 10–17.5" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Blue-ringed Angelfish need?
- A minimum of 180 gallons is recommended for the Blue-ringed Angelfish.
- What water parameters does the Blue-ringed Angelfish need?
- The Blue-ringed Angelfish does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Blue-ringed Angelfish aggressive?
- The Blue-ringed Angelfish is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Blue-ringed Angelfish eat?
- The Blue-ringed Angelfish is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Blue-ringed Angelfish live?
- With good care, the Blue-ringed Angelfish typically lives 5-8 years.
- Is the Blue-ringed Angelfish reef safe?
- The Blue-ringed Angelfish is not considered reliably reef safe and may harm corals or invertebrates.