Asfur Angelfish

Additional names

Asfur Angelfish, Arabian Angelfish, Crescent Angelfish

Additional scientific names

Chaetodon asfur, Arusetta asfur

Origin

Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, south to Zanzibar.

Sexing

The Asfur Angelfish is indistinguishable from male to female and very difficult to breed in an aquarium.

Tank compatibility

This fish is semi-aggressive and will be territorial towards its own species. Adults need large tanks, around 681.4 Litres (180 US G.), in order to be kept with other tank mates. Other semi-aggressive similar-sized Angelfish are a possibility in terms of tank mates, but not the same species, and they would have to be watched carefully.

Diet

An omnivorous fish that may nip at soft corals and clam mantles. Will accept meaty foods such as shrimp and mysis shrimp as well as spirulina and seaweed.

Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

This fish must have hiding places in order to feel secure in its environment. It needs a salinity of 1.020 - 1.025.

Behaviour

A shy large Angelfish that will be aggressive towards others of its own kind.

Identification

An attractive fish that is in the typical oval Angelfish shape. Adults are dark blue in colour with a yellow caudal fin and a thick crescent-shaped yellow band is down either side of the flanks. Juvenile's have blue bodies with light-blue and white stripes, as the juvenile ages it will develop yellow markings on its dorsal fin and the caudal fin will turn yellow. Can be confused with Pomacanthus maculosus and Pomacanthus koran.

Pictures

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  adult
• 

  juvenile