Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus Xanthometopon)

Species Name : Pomacanthus Xanthometopon

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Black, Blue, Yellow

Diet : Omnivore

Reef Compatible : With Caution

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 1' 5"

Origin : Indonesia, Sumatra

Family : Pomacanthidae

Minimum Tank Size : 220 gallons

Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus Xanthometopon)  is a marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae found in shallow parts of the Indo-Pacific. It is commonly known as the Yellowmask Angelfish or the Yellowface Angelfish because of its striking facial colouration.

Pomacanthus Xanthometopon grows to a maximum length of 38 centimetres (15 in) and is laterally compressed. The mouth is just above the tip of the snout. The fins are large and rounded and are yellow, some edged with blue round the margins. It has a mottled-blue face with yellow mask that extends from eye to eye but not much beyond each eye. There is also an eyespot at the caudal end of the dorsal fin. As a juvenile, the body is covered with alternating vertical stripes of black, white, and sapphire blue. Upon growing to approximately five inches, the juvenile begins to morph into its adult coloration of pale yellow with bluish scales and a bright-yellow pectoral fin.

A minimum of a 220 gallon tank with numerous hiding places and large amounts of live rock for grazing will offer a good environment. The more room they have, the better.

Blueface Angelfish are peaceful fish, however, they can be quite territorial, especially when it comes to feeding time. Not a good reef dweller, the Blueface Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles. The Blueface Angelfish is best kept as the only angelfish, as it is prone to becoming territorial when it is the largest fish in the tank. Some good tank mates for blueface angelfish are gobies, dartfish, assessors, fairy wrasses, Clownfish, Tangs, Basslets, Butterfly Fish, and Surgeon Fish.

Blueface Angelfish enjoy a variety of meaty and algae-based foods. They are not too fussy when it comes to food and will take most of what you offer. The diet should consist of Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysis or frozen shrimp, and other meaty items. It should be fed at least three times daily.