Spotbreast Angelfish (Genicanthus Melanospilos) Male

Species Name : Genicanthus Melanospilos

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Blue, Red, White, Yellow

Diet : Omnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

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

Max. Size : 9"

Origin : Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia

Family : Pomacanthidae

Minimum Tank Size : 125 gallons

The Spotbreast Angelfish (Genicanthus Melanospilos) is a colorful addition to any saltwater tank, even one with corals. With a highly-flared tail, the Spotbreast Angelfish is also referred to as the Blackspot Angelfish, Blackspot Lyretail Angelfish.

The female is yellow dorsally, and light blue ventrally. The caudal fin is marine-blue highlighted by a dark, blue-black edging on the top and bottom. The male is marked with a series of vertical red stripes covering the entire pale colored body. The tail of the male is forked and is yellow with blue edges.

A minimum of a 125 gallon tank or larger with lots of hiding places and live rock for grazing will offer an environment in which to thrive. They are also known to jump out of the aquaria, so lids are necessary to prevent it from doing so. 

An exception to most angelfish, the Blackspot Angelfish will make a good reef dweller, and will not nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates). Spotbreast angelfishes are relatively friendly tank dwellers, but it may chase after small peaceful planktivores or get harassed by other planktivores. These angelfishes should not be housed in tanks with aggressive fish to avoid being dominated by large aggressors such as triggerfish, large angelfish, and most surgeonfish. Suggested tankmates include clownfish, blennies, gobies, chromis, butterflyfish, small lionfish, and eels.

The Spotbreast Angelfish is one of the few angelfish to exhibit dramatic sexual dimorphism. In the absence of a male, the dominant female will change sexes and become male.

Spotbreast Angelfish are omnivores that prefers to feed on diatoms and filamentous algae in captivity. This angelfish may also be fed with a variety of diet which consists of meaty fare and marine algae-based food, such as fresh shrimp and frozen silversides, frozen brine and mysis shrimp, angelfish preparations, nori, enriched flakes, or pellets containing spirulina.