Tiger Angelfish

About

The Tiger Angelfish (Apolemichthys kingi) is one of the more elusive members of the angelfish family, with a naturally restricted range along the coastline of South Africa and Mozambique in the western Indian Ocean. In the wild it turns up on seaward-facing reefs, and it has never been a common sight either in the ocean or in the hobby. Which means most hobbyists will only encounter one if they go looking for it specifically. The bold barred patterning that earns this fish its common name is genuinely distinctive among the Apolemichthys genus, setting it apart from the more widely available members of that group. Because wild specimens are scarce, solid behavioral data from aquarium keeping is limited, but its close relatives are generally considered manageable for intermediate keepers who can provide appropriate space and a varied omnivore diet. At up to around eight inches as an adult, it needs a roomy system with plenty of live rock structure to feel at home. If you ever get the chance to acquire one, treat it as a genuine find. This is not a fish you will stumble across at your average local fish store.