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Queen Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Pomacanthidae
📍 Caribbean & Western Atlantic
Considered the most beautiful large angelfish. Iridescent blue-yellow body with a distinctive electric-blue 'crown' spot on the forehead. Wild-caught specimens are stubborn to wean onto captive foods. Sponge specialist.
Care Guide
Diet
Queen Angelfish are specialized sponge-eaters in the wild and require a varied omnivorous diet in captivity. Offer high-quality marine flakes, pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and spirulina-based foods once daily. Wild-caught specimens are notoriously difficult to wean and may require live sponge, tunicates, or specialized preparations; captive-bred individuals adapt more readily to prepared foods.
Behavior
Queen Angelfish are semi-aggressive, territorial fish that patrol mid-water zones and reef structures. They are curious and intelligent but become increasingly aggressive with age and toward smaller fish or invertebrates. Solitary or paired specimens are recommended; they may harass other angelfish species and will consume small crustaceans and soft corals.
Breeding
Breeding Queen Angelfish in captivity is extremely rare and difficult. They form monogamous pairs in the wild and require very large tanks (500+ gallons) with specific environmental triggers. Larval rearing is complex and rarely successful in home aquaria; most captive specimens are wild-caught.
Tank Mates
Hardy, similar size range, occupy different reef zones; may be nipped if too small
Peaceful herbivore, different feeding niche, adequate space reduces aggression
Both are angelfish; territorial conflicts likely; only in very large tanks with ample space
May be eaten by Queen Angelfish; risk increases with hunger or smaller shrimp
Algae-grazer with different ecological role; generally ignored by angelfish
Common Diseases
Ich (Marine Velvet)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, flashing against surfaces
Raise temperature to 28-29°C, use copper-based or formalin treatments; quarantine affected fish; maintain excellent water quality
Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Pitting or erosion of head and lateral line, loss of pigmentation in affected areas
Improve diet with vitamin-enriched foods, frozen foods, and varied nutrition; ensure stable water parameters; may be linked to poor nutrition or stress
Bacterial Infections
Fin rot, open sores, cloudy eyes, behavioral changes, loss of appetite
Quarantine fish, perform water changes, use antibiotic treatments (e.g., kanamycin or tetracycline); maintain pristine water quality
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, labored breathing
Freshwater dips (brief, 5-10 minutes), copper treatments, or formalin; quarantine; treat main tank if necessary
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- omnivore/sponge
- maxSize
- 18 inches
- salinity
- SG 1.020–1.025
- minTankSize
- 250 gallons
- temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C