Blueface Angelfish (Adult)

Overview

Physical Description

• Size: They can grow up to a maximum length of 38 cm (15 inches).
• Adult Coloration:
  • Body: The scales are pale blue edged with yellow, giving a net-like or reticulated pattern.
  • Face: The face is bright yellow with a dense network of brilliant blue lines and a yellow mask around the eyes. The specific blue pattern on the face is unique to each individual.
  • Fins: The dorsal and caudal (tail) fins are yellow and often edged in blue. There is a prominent, distinctive black “eyespot” at the base of the dorsal fin. The pectoral and ventral fins are also yellow or have blue spotting/dots.
• Juvenile Coloration: Juveniles look very different from adults. Their bodies have six vertical white bars along the sides with smaller, less conspicuous pale blue lines in between them, and their caudal fin is dark blue with blue bars. They begin to change into adult coloration when they reach about 7 to 12 cm (2.8 to 4.7 inches) in length. 

Habitat and Behavior

• Range: Native to the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Maldives to the Great Barrier Reef.
• Habitat: They prefer lagoons, channels, and outer-reef slopes, especially areas with caves or large crevices, at depths from 6 to 60 meters (about 20 to 200 feet).
• Diet: In the wild, their diet consists primarily of sponges and tunicates (sea squirts).
• Behavior: They are generally solitary fish and can become territorial, especially towards other angelfish species. In aquariums, they are considered semi-aggressive and are known to nip at corals and clam mantles. 

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