With its vibrant palette of blue and yellow hues, the Blue Angelfish is truly one of the most spectacular fish found gracing aquarium tanks today. This iconic saltwater beauty is actually known by the scientific name Holacanthus bermudensis., but is also commonly called the Bermuda Blue Angelfish. That’s because these angelfish are native to the island of Bermuda located in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
The Blue Angelfish cruises the tropical waters found off the eastern coastline of the United States, ranging from North Carolina down to the Florida Keys. Their territory extends even further south along the Gulf of Mexico coast down to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The Blue Angel inhabits the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean as well, frequenting areas around the Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamaica.
With its brilliant colors and fabulous flowing fins, it’s easy to see why the Blue Angelfish has become such a coveted and popular aquarium resident. Let’s take a more in-depth look at this spectacular fish, including its origins, physical appearance, temperament, tank requirements, and care.
The Blue Angelfish was first described scientifically back in 1876 by the American ichthyologist, George Brown Goode. For many years it was mistakenly classified under the name Holacanthus isabelita along with its close relative, the Queen Angelfish. It has also previously been called Holacanthus ciliaris bermudensis before finally being correctly reclassified as Holacanthus bermudensis.
This species is a member of the marine angelfish family known as Pomacanthidae. There are approximately 86 recognized species within 7 genera that comprise this family. The Blue Angelfish belongs to the genus Holacanthus, which contains some of the largest angelfish found in the oceans. The name Holacanthus actually derives from Greek meaning “full thorn” which references the spine located on the cheek area that is characteristic of these angelfish.
The Holacanthus genus previously contained over 60 species but has undergone extensive reclassification over the years. Today there are only 8 species left in this grouping. The Blue Angelfish and Queen Angelfish are two of the four Holacanthus species found in the tropical western Atlantic waters. The other two members are the Rock Beauty Angelfish and Gray Angelfish.
In the waters off of Bermuda, the Blue Angelfish is known to readily hybridize with the Queen Angelfish. The resulting offspring exhibit traits from both parent species, often displaying a mottled color pattern similar to a koi fish. For many years it was thought that the entire Blue Angelfish population around Bermuda might consist solely of these hybrid fish.
The natural range of the Blue Angelfish extends through the western Atlantic Ocean. As mentioned earlier, they are predominantly found around the coastal waters of the southeast United States, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Their range stretches from as far north as North Carolina down to the Florida Keys and then all along the Mexican coastline bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
The Blue Angelfish resides in the warm tropical waters of its range, preferring temperatures between 70-82° Fahrenheit (21-28° Celsius). They spend most of their time hovering above shallow patch reefs, rocky outcroppings, and coral reefs down to depths around 100 feet (30 meters). As juveniles, they live among branching corals and in inshore waters before moving to deeper offshore reefs as adults.
Blue Angelfish can often be spotted cruising alone or paired up with a mate. They tend to hang out near ample rocky structures covered in sponges and algae growth. This provides both food sources and shelter for the angelfish. Their diet consists mainly of sponges and tunicates along with small invertebrates. Juveniles act as cleaner fish, eating parasites off of larger fish that visit their established cleaning stations.
The Blue Angelfish has an elongated and laterally compressed body shape typical of angelfish. Adults can reach up to 15 inches (38 cm) in length at full maturity. Their overall body coloration consists of irregular bluish-green and dusty-yellow scales covering the body. The chest, forehead, and facial region display more vibrant royal blue and bright yellow hues.
One of the Blue Angelfish’s most distinguishing features is its dazzling fins. The long trailing dorsal and anal fins are accentuated in brilliant royal blue along the outer edges. The pectoral fins are also a striking blue but tipped in yellow. The tail fin is dark with a bold yellow edge. The pelvic fins are typically a golden yellow color.
The face of the Blue Angel really showcases its dramatic color pattern. The front half of the head is a vibrant golden yellow, especially on the chin area. There is a dusting of blue marking the bony area around the eyes. The gill covers are also brightly trimmed in royal blue, earning this fish the nickname “Blue Gilded Angel.”
In contrast to the adult coloration, juvenile Blue Angelfish looks entirely different. They are overall dark blackish-blue, with only the tail and some fin areas displaying yellow. Their most noticeable feature is the thick vertical black bar edged in blue that covers the entire face area. There are also about 5 thinner paler vertical bars along the body. Over time, the dark coloration fades to blue-green and yellow as they mature.
The Blue Angelfish looks remarkably similar to its close cousin, the Queen Angelfish. In fact, the two species are often confused with each other. However there are a few subtle distinguishing characteristics between the adult fish. The Blue Angelfish lacks the vibrant blue crown marking on the forehead that earned the Queen Angelfish its royal moniker. It also has a dark tail fin trimmed in yellow rather than the completely yellow tail of the Queen.
The Blue Angelfish is considered to have a semi-aggressive temperament, especially as it reaches adulthood. Juveniles tend to be more territorial, likely due to their behaviors as cleaner fish. They will become hostile toward other fish with similar shapes, sizes, or coloration. Peaceful tankmates may be bullied or nipped unless they have sufficient hiding spots.
Ideally, the Blue Angel should be housed with other semi-aggressive fish like tangs, triggers, and larger angelfish species. They can potentially cohabitate with another Blue Angel provided the aquarium is over 250 gallons. The pair should be added simultaneously and be different sizes to reduce aggressive tendencies.
This species should never be added to a reef tank, as they will feed on coral polyps and sessile invertebrates. Even juveniles may nip at corals despite initially showing more reef-safe behaviors. Clams, scallops, feather dusters, and other inverts are also at high risk of being eaten by adult Blue Angels.
The Blue Angelfish is a moderately hardy species that adapts fairly well to aquarium life when provided proper care. However, they do have some specific needs in terms of tank size, water conditions, and diet that must be met. Ensuring these requirements are fulfilled will lead to a healthy and thriving Blue Angel.
This large angelfish needs ample swimming room, requiring a minimum tank size of 180 gallons. However, the bigger the tank, the better for this active species. Giant systems of 300 gallons or more are ideal for their long-term health and full adult growth potential.
The aquascape should include plentiful rocky structures and overhangs to provide security and visual barriers. This will help diffuse aggressive interactions between tankmates. Live rock covered in beneficial macroalgae growth offers supplemental grazing spots and replicates their wild habitat.
Maintaining excellent and stable water quality is crucial for marine angelfish health. Perform partial water changes of 10-15% biweekly for tanks up to 250 gallons. Larger mature systems may only need water replacements every 3-4 weeks.
Use salt mixes like Instant Ocean to maintain a consistent saltwater gravity of 1.023-1.025. The pH should be kept in the alkaline range of 8.0-8.4. Blue Angelfish prefer water temperatures between 70-82°F and moderate water flow. Proper filtration, protein skimming, and testing kits to monitor ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are necessities.
The Blue Angelfish is an omnivore in the wild, feeding on sponges, tunicates, algae, and small invertebrates. Replicate this varied diet by offering a quality flake or pellet containing sponge, spirulina, marine algae, vegetables, and protein. Supplement with occasional vitamin-rich sea veggies like nori. Target feeding juveniles with more algae-based foods initially.
Adults will appreciate the addition of live rock encrusted with coralline algae or using a calcium reactor to infuse the water with coralline algae spores. This allows them to graze on one of their favorite wild foods. Frozen preparations with sponges, mysid shrimp, and marine flesh can also be provided a few times per week.
Overall, the Blue Angelfish tends to be fairly hardy once acclimated to life in an aquarium. However, like all captive fish, they can be susceptible to diseases and parasites found in home saltwater tanks. The key to keeping Blue Angels disease-free is minimizing stress by providing ideal housing, compatible tankmates, high water quality, and a proper diet. Healthy, unstressed fish have stronger immune systems to ward off infections.
One condition that sometimes affects angelfish is nutritional blindness. This is caused by inappropriate amounts of meaty foods, leading to a deficiency in vitamin A. It usually arises 6-8 months after the fish enters captivity. To prevent this, feed foods rich in vitamin A like marine algae and greens. Also, ensure live rock in the tank supports algae growth.
Marine ich, also called white spot disease, is a very common saltwater fish parasite. It causes fish to scratch against objects, culminating in numerous white dots appearing on their skin and fins. The dots fall off only to rapidly reappear in greater numbers, eventually suffocating the fish.
Another frequent parasitic infection is called marine velvet or velvet disease. It results in a yellowish skin coating, clamped fins, increased breathing rates, cloudy eyes, and rubbing on tank surfaces. This contagious parasite can quickly kill fish if left untreated.
While not harmful, lymphocystis viral disease causes cauliflower-like growths on the fins and the mouth. Only intervene if the growths hamper eating. Otherwise, utilize water changes to activate the fish’s immune response.
Flukes are a problematic parasitic pest that angelfish often contract. They can be challenging to treat in reef tanks, as copper solutions harm invertebrates. However, antibiotics like metronidazole effectively kill bacteria and parasites while remaining reef-safe. Seachem Metronidazole and Focus can be combined into food to treat flukes safely.
For external parasites, slowly raise the temperature to 82°F (28°C) to disrupt their life cycle. Combine with medicated foods for best results. Or introduce cleaner wrasses to nibble parasites of the angelfish.
Quarantining new fish and invertebrates, plus maintaining strong water flow and quality, goes a long way toward disease prevention. Only obtain fish from reputable sources and recognize any symptoms early to treat illness rapidly. Provide a stress-free life for your Blue Angel and it will dazzle you with good health for years to come!
Read More About Angelfish Disease.
Unfortunately, successfully breeding Blue Angelfish in home aquariums has not yet been achieved to date. However, observations of their reproductive behaviors in the wild provide insight into their spawning rituals.
Adult Blue Angels are generally found paired up year-round, suggesting they form monogamous bonds. The male and female float upwards together, bringing their undersides into close contact to release eggs and sperm simultaneously.
A single female can produce an astounding 25,000 to 75,000 eggs per night, potentially totaling 10 million eggs over an entire spawning period! The small transparent eggs contain an oil droplet that allows them to float in the water column.
After 15-20 hours, the eggs hatch into “pre-larval” fish attached still to a large yolk sac. At this stage, they lack fins, eyes, or a digestive system. About 48 hours later, the yolk fully absorbs, and true larvae emerge that actively feed on plankton.
Growth progresses quickly. Just 3-4 weeks after hatching, the larvae reach 15-20 mm in length and settle down onto the reef substrate.
Sadly, the complex reproductive process of the Blue Angelfish makes them extremely difficult to breed in home aquariums. The larvae require feeding on plankton and specific water conditions only found in their natural habitat. Further research into their needs may someday unlock the secrets to captive breeding.
For now, aquarists must rely on wild-caught or tank-raised specimens to enjoy keeping this species. Patience and persistence may eventually yield breakthroughs in breeding the Blue Angel, but it remains a highly challenging endeavor. Their spectacular beauty and engaging behaviors continue enticing devotees to keep working towards success!
With its regal blue and yellow color scheme and graceful flowing fins, it’s easy to see why the Blue Angelfish is one of the most sought-after marine fish for home aquariums. This iconic beauty is sure to become the dazzling showpiece of any saltwater tank. Providing for its specific needs in terms of ample tank space, diet, water quality, tankmates, and decor will ensure your Blue Angel thrives for years to come. Just be prepared to pay a high price for the privilege of owning one of these marine jewels!
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