Angels, Large

52 species

Large Angels, also known as Angelfish, are a stunning and diverse group of marine fish that are popular in the reefkeeping hobby due to their striking colors and patterns. These fish belong to the family Pomacanthidae and are known for their laterally compressed bodies and elongated dorsal and anal fins. Some of the most well-known species include the Pomacanthus imperator, Holacanthus ciliaris, and Pomacanthus xanthometopon.

Large Angels are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters, often around coral reefs where they can find plenty of hiding spots and food sources. In the wild, their diet consists of sponges, tunicates, algae, and small invertebrates. In captivity, they require a varied diet that includes high-quality marine pellets, frozen foods, and fresh seaweed to ensure they receive all necessary nutrients.

These fish can grow quite large, often reaching sizes of 25-40 cm (10-15 inches) or more, so they require spacious aquariums with plenty of swimming space. A minimum tank size of 600 liter (160 gallons) is recommended for most large angelfish species. Additionally, they can be territorial and may not get along with other angelfish or similarly shaped fish, so careful consideration must be given to tank mates.

Large Angels are generally not considered reef-safe as they may nip at or eat corals and invertebrates. However, some hobbyists have had success keeping them in reef tanks with caution and close monitoring. It's important to provide plenty of hiding places and a well-established environment to help reduce stress and aggression.

Overall, Large Angels are a rewarding and visually impressive addition to any large marine aquarium, but they do require specific care and attention to thrive.

  1. Bandit Angelfish on coral reef
    Common name: Bandit Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys arcuatus
  2. Common name: Armitage's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys armitagei
  3. Common name: Griffis Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys griffisi
  4. Common name: Reunion Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys guezei
  5. Rare and expensive Tiger Angelfish (Apolemichthys kingi)
    Common name: Tiger Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys kingi
  6. Three-spot Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus), Komodo, Indonesia
    Common name: Three-spot Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys trimaculatus
  7. Goldflake Angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus)
    Common name: Goldflake Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus
  8. Yellow-ear Angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthotis) in the Red Sea, Egypt
    Common name: Yellow-ear Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys xanthotis
  9. Common name: Yellowtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys xanthurus
  10. Common name: Ballina Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus ballinae
  11. Blue-spotted Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus)
    Common name: Blue-spotted Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus
  12. Common name: Orangeface Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus chrysocephalus
  13. Conspicuous Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus)
    Common name: Conspicuous Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus
  14. Scribbled Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus duboulayi) from Australia
    Common name: Scribbled Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus duboulayi
  15. Common name: Black Velvet Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus melanosoma
  16. Common name: Queensland Yellowtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus meredithi
  17. A Vermiculated Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus)
    Common name: Vermiculated angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus
  18. Common name: Black angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus niger
  19. Common name: Yellowtail angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus personifer
  20. Common name: Greytail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus poliourus
  21. Blue-striped Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis)
    Common name: Blue-striped Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis
  22. Female Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus)
    Common name: Bellus Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus bellus
  23. Male Zebra Angelfish (Genicanthus caudovittatus)
    Common name: Zebra Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus caudovittatus
  24. Blackstriped Angelfish or Lamarck's Angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck)
    Common name: Blackstriped Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus lamarck
  25. Male Swallowtail or Blackspot Angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos)
    Common name: Swallowtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus melanospilos
  26. Masked Angelfish (Genicanthus personatus)
    Common name: Masked Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus personatus
  27. Common name: Halfbanded Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus semicinctus
  28. Male Japanese Swallow (Genicanthus semifasciatus)
    Common name: Japanese Swallow
    Scientific name: Genicanthus semifasciatus
  29. Common name: Pitcairn Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus spinus
  30. Common name: Takeuchi's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus takeuchii
  31. Male Blackedged Angelfish (Genicanthus watanabei)
    Common name: Blackedged Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus watanabei
  32. Guinean Angelfish or West African Angelfish (Holacanthus africanus)
    Common name: Guinean Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus africanus
  33. Blue Angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) on coral reef
    Common name: Blue Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus bermudensis
  34. Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
    Common name: Queen Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus ciliaris
  35. Adult Clarion Angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis)
    Common name: Clarion Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus clarionensis
  36. Common name: Clipperton Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus limbaughi
  37. King Angelfish (Holacanthus passer)
    Common name: King Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus passer
  38. Rock Beauty (Holacanthus tricolor)
    Common name: Rock Beauty
    Scientific name: Holacanthus tricolor
  39. Blue Ring Angelfish (Pomacanthus annularis)
    Common name: Blue Ring Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus annularis
  40. Gray Angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus), Caribbean
    Common name: Gray Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus arcuatus
  41. Arabian Angelfish (Pomacanthus asfur)
    Common name: Arabian Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus asfur
  42. Goldtail Angelfish (Pomacanthus chrysurus)
    Common name: Goldtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus chrysurus
  43. Adult & juvenile Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
    Common name: Emperor Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus imperator
  44. Yellowbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus), Red Sea, Egypt
    Common name: Yellowbar Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus maculosus
  45. Majestic Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus)
    Common name: Majestic Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus navarchus
  46. French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru)
    Common name: French Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus paru
  47. Subadult Old Woman Angelfish (Pomacanthus rhomboides), juvenile stripes and coloration still clearly visible
    Common name: Old Woman Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus rhomboides
  48. Koran Angelfish or Semicircular Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus), Raja Ampat, Indonesia
    Common name: Koran Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus semicirculatus
  49. Sixbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus sexstriatus)
    Common name: Sixbar Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus sexstriatus
  50. Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon)
    Common name: Blueface Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus xanthometopon
  51. Cortez Angelfish (Pomacanthus zonipectus) feeding in a shipwreck. Sea of Cortez, Pacific ocean. Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
    Common name: Cortez Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus zonipectus
  52. Regal Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) from the Red Sea or Indian Ocean
    Common name: Regal Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pygoplites diacanthus