Pomacanthus maculosus

(Forsskal, 1775)

Yellowbar Angelfish, Map Angelfish, Maculosus Angelfish

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

Size: 20 inches (50 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral reefs, yet often found in silty bay areas and collected between depths of 10 to over 70 feet (3 – 20 m). Feeds on sponges, tunicates, crustaceans, and algae.

General Husbandry: Both the juvenile and adult are quite pretty and extremely hardy, with the juvenile having a blackish body and head with several light blue and white vertical bands. The tail is clear on very young specimens, but turns yellow as it grows into adulthood. As for the adult, its body has a frontal lavender coloration, with the rear portion a dark blue, and is separated from each other with a large bright yellow crescent shaped vertical band. Its dorsal and anal fins often have long streamers. Often called the Map Angelfish because the yellow band resembles the shape of the African continent.

When first introduced into the aquarium, preferably a well-established fish-only aquarium with lots of live rock and cave areas, adults or juveniles should be offered numerous daily feedings so as to quickly acclimate it to its surroundings. Like many others in this genus, their captive diet should consist of a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations and continued to be offered at least several times daily after its acclimated to its surroundings. Furthermore, flake foods, and especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should be also offered, along with fresh broccoli and macroalgae, as ‘greens’ make up a portion of this species diet, especially the juveniles and subadults.

Depending upon its tankmates, even though one of the largest in this genus, this is one of the easiest species in this genus to maintain! Juveniles may be somewhat shy when first entering the aquarium, and may hide in caves and crevices. But as time passes, will become more outgoing and begin to establish its territory. As for adults, they are not as feisty as those in the Holacanthus genus, but still somewhat bold and may annoy more docile tankmates. Recommend it be the last angelfish to be added to the aquarium.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Pomacanthidae

Genus: Pomacanthus

FYI: Keeping more than one genus of angelfishes in the same aquarium is possible, yet depends upon several aspects. The following suggested circumstances are just that, possibilities that when heeded and adjusted to actual aquarium conditions ‘may’ make multiple angelfish collections feasible.

Aquarium size – the larger the better.

Species from the same genus should not be in the same aquarium.

The smallest and most docile genus species should be the first introduced with the largest and most malicious the last to be added.

Do not place similar coloration species in the same aquarium.

Those already in the aquarium should be well fed before adding a newcomer.

Have sufficient hiding places/rocky caves.

Do not overfeed meaty foods, especially juveniles, as it may lead to a fatty deposit around the liver that could stop production of vitamin A. This could cause blindness, often referred to as nutritional blindness.

Keep in mind all angels have cheekspines at the edge of their gill cover; therefore use caution when handling and also avoid using a net to capture it, as it may become stuck or tangled in the net and become damaged when removed.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only and Reef Aquariums (See Below)

Reef Safe: Juveniles – Yes/Adults - No - will nip clam mantles, large and small polyped stony (LPS/SPS) corals, and also some soft corals and tubeworms.

Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5