King Angelfish

The king angelfish is the eastern Pacific relative of the queen angelfish (H. ciliaris). The dark navy-gray body of adults is divided by a single white vertical bar passing behind the pectoral fin; the tail fin is orange-yellow. Juveniles carry thin blue and white vertical lines on an orange and blue base. In adults the sex can be told from the pelvic fins: the male's are white, the female's yellow. Specimens are wild-collected; it is hardy, but because of its size and temperament it is suitable only for large systems.

• At least 1000 liters and 200 cm in length for an adult.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 22–26°C; strong filtration.
• A sturdy rock layout with caves and a large swimming area.
• Not reef-safe: It eats corals, zoanthids, sponges and Tridacna clams.

Omnivorous; in the wild it eats sponges, bottom-dwelling invertebrates, algae and plankton. Offer angelfish foods containing sponge, frozen mysis, chopped seafood and dried seaweed.

One of the most aggressive of the large angelfish; females can be more territorial than males. It may attack its own species, other angelfish and fish added later; it should usually be the last fish added to the aquarium.

Good companions: In a very large aquarium, large fish that can defend themselves: large tangs, triggerfish, large wrasses, morays.

Avoid: Other large angelfish, small and timid species, reefs with corals.