What Is a Queen Angelfish?

The queen angelfish, native to the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean from the United States to Brazil, South America, is a popular choice for experienced aquarium owners. Also known as Holacanthus ciliaris, the fish has a compressed blue and yellow body up to 18 inches (45.72 cm) long, with a beak-shaped mouth. A dark spot at the top of its head is ringed with blue, creating a crown-like appearance from which the fish gets its name. Young queen angelfish are darker and have white stripes toward their rear. The species is also known by the names queen angle, blue angelfish, yellow angelfish, and golden angelfish.

Queen angelfish normally live in water that is up to 230 feet (about 70 meters) deep, and it requires sufficient space to live comfortably. To keep one in an aquarium, 150 gallons (575 liters) of water is the minimum requirement. The reef fish are sensitive to the environment, and the water should be between 72° and 78°F (22° and 25.5°C) with a pH value from 8.1 to 8.4. Nitrates should be kept to a minimum as well, and all of these criteria should be established before the fish is added to the aquarium.

Sponges are the favorite food of queen angelfish, and they also eat plankton, algae, and jellyfish. As juveniles, they will eat parasites off of other fish in the ocean. There are frozen foods sold in stores that contain sponge material, along with dried algae and vitamin supplements that are healthy for the fish. They will also eat shrimp, shellfish, and squid. Soft corals are also a favorite, so a home aquarium should include these as well as rocks that can support the growth of algae.

Whether living in the ocean or in a home aquarium tank, a queen angelfish retains its natural instincts. It can be aggressive and territorial, and having more than one of the same species in the same tank can result in aggressive fights between the fish. Aggression toward other angelfish species is possible but not as common. While it does not associate well with similar species, the queen angelfish sometimes mates with the blue angelfish, which results in rare hybrid offspring. It also likes to be out in the open, but unless there are a couple of hiding places, such as pieces of coral, it can become stressed.

The Queen Angelfish is a vibrant marine fish known for its striking blue and yellow coloring, with a distinctive blue-ringed black spot on its forehead resembling a crown. Native to the western Atlantic Ocean, it inhabits coral reefs from Florida to Brazil, often spotted at depths between 2 to 70 meters.

A Queen Angelfish can be identified by its bright blue and yellow body, with a dark spot on its forehead encircled by blue, which resembles a crown. Adults also have a protruding forehead and a rounded, spongy mouth. Juveniles display different coloration, with blue bodies and vertical yellow bars.

The Queen Angelfish primarily feeds on sponges, but its diet is diverse, including tunicates, jellyfish, corals, plankton, and algae. This varied diet is essential for their health, as sponges alone do not provide all necessary nutrients. They are known to forage throughout the day on the reef.

Queen Angelfish are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. During spawning, females release eggs into the water column as males fertilize them. These eggs are then left to drift with the currents until hatching. This spawning often occurs around the full moon and can involve large groups of angelfish in a synchronized event.

As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, the Queen Angelfish is not considered endangered. However, it faces threats from habitat loss due to coral reef destruction and the aquarium trade. Conservation efforts are important to ensure the sustainability of their populations and the ecosystems they inhabit.

While Queen Angelfish are popular in the aquarium trade, they require large tanks (at least 250 gallons) and a diet rich in sponges and other specific nutrients. They are best suited for experienced aquarists who can provide for their needs, including proper tank environment and social interactions with other marine life.