Common name: Black-velvet angelfish
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
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyAngelfishesPomacanthidae
- GenusAngelfishChaetodontoplus
- SpeciesBlack-velvet angelfishChaetodontoplus melanosoma (Bleeker, 1853)
- SynonymsHolacanthus 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.