Common name: Black-velvet angelfish

Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus melanosoma (Bleeker, 1853)
Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis, the blue-striped angelfish and bluelined angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, swimming in fish tank aquarium

General information

The Black Velvet Angelfish, Chaetodontoplus melanosoma, is a striking marine fish known for its deep black body and vibrant blue accents along the edges of its fins. This species is a member of the Pomacanthidae family and is native to the Western Pacific Ocean. It is a relatively rare sight in the aquarium trade, often sought after by advanced hobbyists due to its unique appearance and the challenge it presents in terms of care.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
300 liter (79 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F)
Acidity
pH 8 to 8.4
Average size
23 cm (9″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality
Diet
Omnivore Varied diet incl. algae, mysis
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May nip at corals, clams
Aggression
Semi aggresive Can be aggressive to tankmates
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Angelfishes
    Pomacanthidae
  6. Genus
    Angelfish
    Chaetodontoplus
  7. Species
    Black-velvet angelfish
    Chaetodontoplus melanosoma (Bleeker, 1853)
  8. Synonyms
    Holacanthus melanosoma Bleeker, 1853

Care

Caring for the Black Velvet Angelfish requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. This species can grow up to 25 cm (10 inches) in length, so a larger tank is necessary to accommodate its size and swimming behavior. They are omnivores, with a diet that should include a variety of foods such as marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and other high-quality frozen preparations to maintain their health and coloration.

It's important to note that Chaetodontoplus melanosoma may nip at stony and soft corals, as well as clams, making them less suitable for a reef tank with a wide variety of corals. However, they can be kept with more resilient coral species and in fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) setups.

Reproduction

In the wild, Black Velvet Angelfish are believed to be pelagic spawners, releasing their eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic, drifting in the ocean currents before settling down and metamorphosing into juveniles. Captive breeding of this species is rare and not well-documented, making wild-caught specimens more common in the hobby.

Habitat

The natural habitat of the Black Velvet Angelfish includes reef slopes and lagoons in the Western Pacific, from the Philippines to northern Sulawesi and the Molucca Islands. They are typically found at depths ranging from 10 to 30 meters (33 to 98 feet), where they swim alone or in pairs.

Their preference for complex reef environments with plenty of live rock formations provides them with ample opportunities for grazing on natural food sources and hiding from potential threats.