Blue Face Angel

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive   • Maximum Size: 16"
• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-79° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Pomacanthidae   • Species: Angels (Large)   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The adult and juvenile Blueface Angelfish differ markedly in coloration. As a juvenile, the body is covered with alternating vertical stripes of black, white, and sapphire blue. Upon growing to approximately five inches, the juvenile begins to morph into its adult coloration of pale yellow with bluish scales and a bright-yellow pectoral fin. It has a mottled-blue face with yellow mask that extends from eye to eye but not much beyond each eye. There is also an eye spot at the caudal end of the dorsal fin.

Reaching a sizable 16" the Blue-Face should be housed in a large aquarium approx. 100 gallons or larger, with numerous hiding places and large amounts of live rock for grazing will offer a good environment. A very bold feeder, the Blue-Face is best added last to a community aquarium as it is quick to acclimate and will be less aggressive to other tank mates if it hasn't had a chance to establish it's territory. Enjoys swimming in and out of rock crevices, and it is best to have refuges or caves for the Blue-Face to retreat to when threatened.

One of the more voracious feeders, most Blue-Face Angels will accept most meaty foods once acclimated to it's new environment. Caution is advised if your tank has another species of angel as the Blue-Face can be quite aggressive. It is best to get a smaller Blue Face than buying a bigger one as it can be difficult to get a larger specimen to accept other tank mates.

Not a good reef dweller, the Blueface Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles. The Blueface Angelfish is best kept as the only angelfish, as it is prone to becoming territorial when it is the largest fish in the tank. It also tends to be a bit more aggressive towards other species than most large angels.

It is highly recommended that you add the Blueface as the last fish in a community tank, as this will help in keeping it from being overly aggressive and territorial. The Blue-Face is a good addition to tanks that house other semi-aggressive specimens (not other angels). As with most large angels, adding juvenile specimens will not only help the fish acclimate better to aquarium life, but will help ease it's aggressive territorial nature.

The Blue Face Angelfish's diet should consist of various marine algae like Spirulina, marine seaweed, high-quality angelfish formula foods, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other meaty items such as clams, shrimp & brine. Blue-Face Angels should be fed at least 1-3 times daily, more often as a juvenile and less frequently when full grown.