Below is the adult coloration of this fish . The juvenile is blue with light-blue and white stripes, it looks similar to the Koran angelfish except the Arabian has 3 bars that are predominantly white. Older juveniles have yellow markings on the dorsal and a yellow caudal fin that make them distinguishable from the Koran angelfish. This fish is unusually beautiful both as a juvenile and as an adult.
Maintenance difficulty:
This fish is difficult to keep as it feeds on sponges in the wild.
Maintenance:
It is important that you feed angelfish all kinds of live, frozen, and
prepared formula foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. A good formula that can be made at home consists of mussels, shrimp, squid, and spinach. Should be fed an angelfish formula that contains sponge.
Habitat: Natural geographic location:
Found mainly on protected shoreline reefs with rich growth of hard and soft corals in waters from 3-15 meters deep. It can be found in the Western Indian Ocean from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, south to Zanzibar.
Natural Foods:
Eats mainly sponges with small amounts of algae, tunicates, hydroids, and bryozoans. A wide variety of sponges is eaten.
Social Behaviors:
Found singly or in pairs. Generally peaceful in the aquarium but can be aggressive towards other Arabian angelfish and other large angelfish species.
Sexual differences:
Unknown.
Light: Recommended light levels:
No special requirements.
Breeding/Reproduction
Not accomplished in captivity. See
Breeding Marine Fish page for a description of how they reproduce in the wild.
Temperature:
No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish lies between 75 and 79 degrees.
Length/Diameter of fish:
Adults can grow to 40 cm (16 inches).
Minimum Tank Length/Size:
A minimum 80 gallon aquarium is recommended. This is a somewhat shy species, so provide plenty of rockwork for hiding places.
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
No special requirements.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
No special requirements.
Availability:
This fish is rarely available and is expensive.
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