Common name: rock beauty

Scientific name: Holacanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)
Rock Beauty (Holacanthus tricolor) - CozumelRock Beauty
Rock beauty angelfish on coral reef at Bonaire Island in the CaribbeanRock beauty

General information

The Rock Beauty Angelfish, Holacanthus tricolor, is a vibrant and striking species popular among marine aquarists. It is easily recognizable by its deep yellow and black coloration, with a distinctive blue rim around the eyes and fins. Juveniles have a completely yellow body, which gradually develops the species' characteristic black markings as they mature.

This species is not as commonly kept as some other angelfish due to its specialized dietary needs and larger size. It is also known for being somewhat territorial, especially in smaller aquariums.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
550 liter (150 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8 to 8.4
Average size
35 cm (1′2″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality
Diet
Omnivore Varied diet incl. sponges
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May nip at corals/inverts
Aggression
Semi aggresive Aggressive, esp. in small tanks
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
    Holacanthus
  7. Species
    rock beauty
    Holacanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)
  8. Synonyms
    Chaetodon tricolor Bloch, 1795
    Holocanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)
    Pomacanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)

Care

Rock Beauty Angelfish require a large tank with plenty of swimming space and live rock for grazing. They are known to nip at stony and soft corals, clams, and other sessile invertebrates, so they are not considered reef-safe. A varied diet is crucial, with a strong emphasis on sponges and other high-quality angelfish preparations that include sponge material.

Reproduction

In the wild, Rock Beauty Angelfish form harems consisting of one male and several females. They are broadcast spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. Raising the larvae in captivity is challenging due to their planktonic stage and specific dietary requirements.

Habitat

Rock Beauty Angelfish are found in the Western Atlantic, from Georgia, USA, and Bermuda to the northern coast of South America. They inhabit coral reefs and rocky areas, typically in depths ranging from 3 to 92 meters (10 to 300 feet), where they graze on sponges and algae.