Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus Ciliaris)

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Blue, Orange, 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' 6"

Origin : Western Atlantic Ocean

Family : Pomacanthidae

Minimum Tank Size : 150 gallons

The Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus Ciliaris), also known as the Blue Angelfish, Golden Angelfish, or Yellow Angelfish, is a species of marine angelfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

The primary color of a queen angelfish is a yellow gold color. It has electric cerulean blue or aqua highlights around its dorsal and anal fins. Sometimes it has both colors as trim. Iridescent orange and purple highlights are also common. Some have stripes in cerulean blue and aqua. 

Their dorsal and anal fins flow dramatically behind them, extending far beyond the length of their tail.

Queen Angelfish get their name from the round crown-like marking in the middle of their forehead.

This “crown” also can look like a large eye, making predators think the fish is bigger than it is. They have beak-like mouths and small bristle-like teeth. Their mouths are sometimes blue. 

The Small Juvenile will contain the Juvenile colorations or may be color shifting to a young adult, while the Medium will be a sub-adult, and the Large will be in Adult coloration.

Juvenile Queen Angelfish set up cleaning stations in sea grass where larger fish come to have their skin parasites removed.

A Queen Angelfish will need an aquarium of at least 150 gallons. For a specimen that begins to approach the maximal length for this species, a 200 gallon aquarium is considered a minimum. The aquarium where you keep your Queen Angel should contain large enough hiding spots as well as ample swimming room. Include a lot of live rock and encourage natural algae growth.  

Due to aggression towards other Angelfish they are best kept singly but will do well with other larger fish. They are not reef safe, as they will nip at soft and stony polyp corals, sessile invertebrates and clam mantles.

The diet should include Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysis or frozen shrimp, and other meaty items. The Queen Angelfish should be fed at least three times daily.

Size: Juvenile Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"; Large: 2-1/4" to 3-1/4"; Adult Small: 3" to 3-1/2"; Small/Medium: 3-1/2" to 4"; Medium: 4" to 4-1/2"; Medium/Large: 4-1/2" to 5"; Large: 5" to 6"; Extra Large: 6" to 7"