Shoal & Stem
Back to Flora & Fauna

No photo yet

Sign in to submit the first photo

FishintermediateSaltwater

Koran Angelfish

Pomacanthus semicirculatus

AnimaliaChordataActinopterygiiPerciformesPomacanthidae

📍 Indo-Pacific, Red Sea to Western Pacific

Ask Finn

Large angelfish with a spectacular juvenile pattern — vivid blue with concentric semicircular white lines resembling Koranic script (hence the name). Adults transition to a more subdued yellow-green. Popular and relatively adaptable.

Size15"
Min Tank180g
semi-aggressive
Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Koran Angelfish are omnivores with a strong preference for sponges and soft corals in the wild. Feed a varied diet of high-quality marine flakes, pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, and blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini). Supplement with sponge-based foods 2-3 times weekly. Feed adults once daily in portions they can consume in 2-3 minutes.

Behavior

Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially as they mature. Juveniles are more peaceful but become increasingly aggressive toward similar-sized fish and other angelfish. They are active mid-water swimmers that spend considerable time grazing on surfaces. Nocturnal tendencies mean they may be more active during evening hours.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is extremely rare and difficult. Pairs require very large tanks (250+ gallons) and specific environmental triggers including seasonal temperature fluctuations. Larvae are difficult to rear and require specialized micro-foods. Most captive specimens are wild-caught, making breeding success virtually undocumented in home aquaria.

Common Diseases

Marine Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature to 28-29°C, increase aeration, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine infected fish

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss

Treatment

Improve water quality, perform 25% water changes, use antibiotic treatments or marine antibacterial medications

Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)

Symptoms

Pitting or erosion on head and lateral line, loss of scales, visible grooves

Treatment

Improve diet with vitamin-enriched foods, enhance water quality, supplement with vitamin C; often linked to poor nutrition or water conditions

Parasitic Infections

Symptoms

Excessive scratching, visible parasites, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, respiratory distress

Treatment

Quarantine fish, treat with copper-based or formalin treatments; maintain excellent water quality and perform frequent water changes

Community Photos

0 photos

Photos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.

No photos yet — add a tank with Koran Angelfish to be the first!

Sign in to vote.

Tips from the community 💡

0 tips

Real experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.

Sign in to share your experience.

No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!

Quick Facts

pH
8.1–8.4
diet
omnivore/sponge
maxSize
15 inches
salinity
SG 1.020–1.025
minTankSize
180 gallons
temperature
75–82°F (24–28°C)

Temperature

75–82°F

24–28°C

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists