Scribbled Angelfish

About

The scribbled angelfish (Chaetodontoplus duboulayi) is one of those species that makes you do a double-take the first time you see it. The body is a deep black or dark charcoal, broken up by a vivid yellow face and tail, with a pattern of pale, almost scrawled-looking lines across the flanks that give the fish its common name. It's a genuinely distinctive look, and adults can reach a respectable size, so this is a fish that commands attention in a large display. In the wild, it ranges across the Indo-West Pacific, from northern Australia and parts of Indonesia down to Lord Howe Island, where it tends to favor inshore and inner reef environments. Rubble zones, soft bottoms, and areas with scattered rock, coral, sponge, and seawhip growth. It's often seen in pairs or loose small groups and feeds primarily on sponges and tunicates. In the aquarium, it's considered an approachable choice even for less experienced marine keepers, which is somewhat unusual for an angelfish of this size. That said, its peaceful nature means it can be pushed around by more aggressive tankmates, so thoughtful stocking matters. It appears in the trade only occasionally, which makes finding one a bit of a treat.