Potter's Angelfish

Additional names

Potter's Angelfish, Russet Angelfish, Potter's Pygmy Angelfish

Additional scientific names

Holacanthus potteri

Origin

Eastern Central Pacific: Johnston and Hawaiian Islands.

Sexing

These fish are not easy to sex visually and do not breed in captivity. Mature males tend to be brighter in colour than females.

Tank compatibility

A relatively timid solitary Angelfish. Should be kept with robust yet peaceful similar-sized fish. Will nip at soft corals.

Diet

A fish with a voracious appetite, will nibble algae around the live rock continuously. Should also accept algae-based flake and pellet food. Is known to sample most things placed in the tank. Will also accept small meaty foods, but their diets should be predominantly vegetarian.

Feeding regime

Feed two to three times a day, and it needs to have plenty of live rock and algae to graze on. Can starve if there's not enough food.

Environment Specifics

Introduce these fish to well established set ups at least 6 months old so these fish have plenty of algae growth to graze on. Do not keep a clean sterile environment as that could result in these fish starving. The appreciate plenty of secure live rock and hiding places.

Behaviour

An active Dwarf Angel that will spend its time grazing algae in and around live rock and rubble. When introduced to a tank it can take them a while to settle in and a good week or so to begin to accept foods.

Identification

An attractive oval fish which is amber-orange around the head, dorsal and belly fading to indigo towards the caudal fin. It has many slender vertical blue bars down the whole body and into the fins.