Majestic Angelfish

The majestic angelfish is a species that stays relatively small among the large angelfish (Pomacanthus), reaching 28 cm. Its face, chest and belly are dark navy blue outlined by electric-blue lines; its back and flanks are orange-yellow decorated with small blue spots, and its tail is yellow. Juveniles carry white curved lines on a dark blue base. All specimens are wild-collected and acclimate to the aquarium with difficulty; do not buy one without seeing it eat in the store.

• At least 800 liters and 180 cm in length; a rock layout with caves and passages.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; stable and very clean water.
• Not reef-safe: it nips LPS and soft corals, zoanthids and Tridacna clams.
• A calm environment and a long quarantine period make acclimation easier.

Omnivorous. Angelfish foods containing sponge should be the staple; vary the diet with frozen mysis, chopped mussels and shrimp, and dried seaweed. Small amounts 2–3 times a day.

One of the shyer large angelfish; once settled, it defends its own territory. It is aggressive towards its own species and other large angelfish.

Good companions: In a large, calm aquarium, tangs, Heniochus, foxface, anthias, calm wrasses.

Avoid: Other large angelfish, reefs with corals and Tridacna clams, aggressive triggerfish.