Koran Angelfish

The Koran angelfish is known as the large angelfish (Pomacanthus) that adapts most easily to aquarium life. Its name comes from the fine light-colored lines on the juveniles' tail fin, which are likened to script. Juveniles carry white and light blue semicircles curving toward the tail on a dark blue–black background. In adults the body turns olive green, brown and yellowish, with small dark spots; the head, gill cover and fin edges are lined with bright blue. The change usually begins between 8 and 15 cm.

All individuals are collected from the wild. Stores mostly sell juveniles; do not buy one without taking into account its adult size and its need for 1000 liters.

It lives from the Red Sea to the western Pacific on coastal reefs with dense coral growth. Juveniles shelter alone in shallow, protected rocky areas; adults roam alone or in pairs. In the wild it feeds on sponges, tunicates and algae.

• Volume: at least 1000 liters and 200 cm in length for an adult.
• Water: salinity 1.023–1.026 specific gravity, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C. Strong filtration, a good protein skimmer and regular water changes.
• Decor: a solidly built rock layout with caves and plenty of swimming space.
• Reef compatibility: not reef safe. It eats LPS and soft corals, zoanthids, tridacna clams and tube worms. The best setting is a fish-only aquarium with live rock but no corals.

Omnivorous. Angelfish foods containing sponge should be the staple; supplement with frozen mysis, chopped mussels, shrimp and squid, dried seaweed and spirulina. It should be fed 2–3 times a day. A varied diet keeps the colors vivid.

Once settled, it is a bold, curious fish that recognizes its keeper. It is aggressive toward its own species and similarly shaped large angelfish; it may also drive small, timid fish away from food.

Good companions: in a large aquarium: large tangs, foxface, large wrasses, calm triggerfish, large damsels, morays.

Avoid: other large angelfish, reefs with corals and tridacna clams, small and timid species.

Kept as a single individual in the aquarium.

In the wild, pairs release pelagic eggs. It does not breed in home aquariums.

• Head and lateral line erosion (HLLE): common in large angelfish; a varied diet and good water quality prevent it.
• Marine white spot and velvet: quarantine is essential.
• High nitrate: after a long time in dirty water, the colors fade and the fin edges erode.

The sexes cannot be reliably told apart externally.