Maculosus Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus)

Maculosus Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Halfmoon Angelfish, Yellowband Angelfish, Yellowbar Angelfish, Yellow Blotch Angelfish, Map Angelfish, Blue Moon Angelfish, and Yellow Marked Angelfish are found throughout the Persian Gulf, the northwestern Indian Ocean, Gulf of Oman, and Red Sea.

Maculosus Angelfish have been more recently observed in south Florida waters off Boynton Beach, Pompano Beach, West Palm Beach, and Juno Beach as well as southern Brazil in the southwest Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea; due to probable aquarium releases.

Maculosus Angelfish are a curious species found in shallow to moderate depths of 3 to 60 feet in silty bottom areas with rocky rubble and among heavy growths of hard and soft corals found along the sheltered inshore reefs and lagoons where they feed on sponges, algae, zooplankton, copepods, euphausiids, and pelagic tunicates.

Unlike the shy Asfur Angelfish (Pomacanthus asfur) which are often found in pairs near caves and in crevices making them difficult to approach and collect, Maculosus Angelfish are not shy around divers.

Maculosus Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus)

Adult Pomacanthus maculosus have a deep blue body color with a single yellow vertical band (sometimes resembling a map) that bisects the flanks. They have black edged scales (that resemble freckles) along the head and face and pale light blue to white caudal fins that distinguish them from Pomacanthus asfur, which have brilliant yellow caudal fins.

Juvenile Maculosus Angelfish begin life with a dark blue to black body color and alternate blue, white,

Juvenile Maculosus Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus)

and black vertical bands that disappear as they grow into adulthood.

Like most marine angels, Maculosus Angelfish are protogynous hermaphrodites that begin their adult life as females and within a few days to a couple of weeks, the larger or more dominant individual within a small group will change sex and become a male.

Maculosus Angelfish are a large growing species that is best housed in a mature aquarium of at least 250 gallon capacity for a single adult specimen or small community.   They require plenty of swimming room and an abundance of mature live rock arranged into caves, overhangs, and crevices for them to hide and graze among.

Maculosus Angels will thrive in a large fish only tank with plenty of aged live rock among other peaceful to semi aggressive species.   They should not be kept with other angelfish unless housed in a very large tank, then; house only one Pomacanthus maculosus per tank.

Maculosus Angels are not considered to be reef safe and will also nip at hard corals, invertebrates, and clam mantles. If you want to house them in a reef tank, proceed with caution.

To date Maculosus Angelfish have not been bred in an aquarium environment.

In their natural habitat, Maculosus Angelfish feed on algae, sponges, tunicates, zooplankton, and copepods.    In an aquarium environment with plenty of mature live rock, they should be fed a varied diet of algae, sponges, and other meaty foods.

Algae, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, spirulina, seaweed, sponges, mollusks, crustaceans, and quality frozen commercial angelfish preparations will keep your Maculosus Angelfish healthy.   Because this species needs a lot of algae in their diet, frequent feedings are recommended.

Although not common, Maculosus Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus) are available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of sources both online and from local tropical fish shops.   Captively bred specimens are hardier, easier to acclimate, less expensive, and more readily available than wild caught specimens.

Prices for juvenile captive bred specimens range in the area of $190.00 to $250.00.

maculosus-angelfish-pomacanthus-maculosus

Minimum Tank Size: 250 gal
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72 to 79°F, dKH 7.5-10, dH 8-25, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4,
Max. Size: 19.7″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: FOLR, Reef compatible with caution
Origin: Red Sea, Africa
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 36 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate