Common name: Vermiculated angelfish
General information
The Blue Girdled Angelfish, scientifically known as Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus, is a stunning marine fish that captivates aquarists with its vibrant colors and graceful swimming. It is characterized by its deep blue body, yellow tail, and the distinctive yellow to white band that runs along the flanks, giving it the 'girdled' appearance. This species is a member of the Pomacanthidae family, which is known for the small spine or 'preopercle spine' located on the gill cover.
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, meaty foods.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive May nip at clam mantles.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyAngelfishesPomacanthidae
- GenusAngelfishChaetodontoplus
- SpeciesVermiculated angelfishChaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Bloch, 1787)
- SynonymsChaetodon mesoleucus Bloch, 1787Chaetodon mesomelas Gmelin, 1789Chaetodontoplus mesoleucos (Bloch, 1787)
Care
Caring for the Blue Girdled Angelfish requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. They can grow up to 30 cm (12 inches) in length, so a larger tank is necessary to accommodate their size and swimming behavior. This species is semi-aggressive and may show territorial behavior, especially towards other angelfish. A varied diet of marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and other high-quality prepared foods will help maintain their health and coloration.
Reproduction
In the wild, Blue Girdled Angelfish are oviparous, with pairs forming during breeding. They engage in a courtship dance before spawning, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column. The eggs are pelagic, drifting with the currents until hatching. Breeding them in captivity is challenging and rarely achieved by hobbyists.
Habitat
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, the Blue Girdled Angelfish is found in coral-rich areas and clear lagoons, typically at depths ranging from 5 to 25 meters. They are often observed alone or in pairs, grazing on sponges and tunicates among the reefs.