Asfur Angelfish (Red Sea)

Overview

• Scientific Name: Pomacanthus asfur
• Origin: Native to the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean, particularly around the Arabian Peninsula.
• Maximum Size: Can reach up to 16 inches (40 cm) in the wild, though generally remains smaller in captivity (around 9-15 inches).
• Lifespan: Can live for 10 to 15 years with proper care in an aquarium setting.
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially towards other angelfish. It is best kept with compatible, robust tankmates.
• Care Level: Considered easy to moderate to care for in an aquarium, making it suitable for experienced aquarists. 

• Adult Coloration: The adult fish has a deep dark blue to purple body and a blackish face. A prominent, broad, crescent-shaped, vivid yellow band runs vertically across its flanks (from which it gets the name “Crescent Angelfish”). Its caudal (tail) fin is bright yellow.
• Juvenile Coloration: Juveniles look very different from adults. They have a blue body marked with pale-blue and white vertical stripes. As they mature, the yellow markings on the dorsal and caudal fins start to develop before transitioning to the full adult pattern. The adult pattern is usually fully developed once the fish reaches about 3 inches in length.
• Sexual Dimorphism: There are no obvious visual differences between males and females. 

• Natural Habitat: Found in coral-rich lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths of 3 to 50 meters (about 10-165 feet). They utilize live rock formations and caves for hiding places.
• Diet: They are omnivores, feeding on sponges, tunicates, and corals in the wild. In captivity, they require a varied diet of high-quality frozen foods (mysis shrimp, brine shrimp), marine algae, spirulina, and angelfish preparations that contain spongiform products. They should be fed multiple times daily.
• Reef Compatibility: Generally not considered reef safe, as they are prone to nip at stony and soft corals, as well as clam mantles. They are best suited for “fish-only” or “fish-only-with-live-rock” aquariums. 

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1″ to 2-1/4″; Small/Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3″; Medium: 3″ to 4″; Medium/Large: 4″ to 5″ Large: 5″ to 6″ XLarge: 6″ to 7″ XXLarge: 7″ to 8″