Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
General Description: The French Angelfish has a natural range primarily in the Western Atlantic Ocean ranging from Florida in the US and the Bahamas to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Also found in the Eastern Atlantic isolated to waters near Ascension Island and St. Paul’s Rocks. The face is a pale gray to blue with eyes rimmed in yellow and white. The body is a dark, gray with yellow scale margins giving the French Angelfish a dappled appearance. A yellow mark highlights the pectoral fin and the gill cover has a yellow rim. The juveniles are almost completely black apart from five curved vertical yellow bands, the first around the mouth and the last at the base of the tail. The tail has yellow margins. Adults can attain a length of up to 16 inches.
Diet Requirements: The diet of the French Angelfish in the wild comprises sponges, algae, bryozoans, zoantharia, gorgonians and tunicates. In the aquarium it should include Spirulina, Chlorella, marine sheet algae, occasional high-quality angelfish preparations with added sponge matter, and mysis or frozen shrimp. It should be fed at least three times daily to help reproduce natural reef grazing behavior.
Care Requirements: A 200 gallon or larger tank should be provided for an adult, with an 18+ inch width and include large amounts of live rock for hiding and grazing. Not a good candidate for a reef tank, the French Angelfish has a tendency to nip soft and stony coral polyps and clams, and also tends to dominate the tank due to its semi-aggressive nature. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Juvenile Medium: 2″ or less; Large: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/4″; Sub-Adult or Changing Small: 3″ or less; Medium: 3-1/4″ to 4″; Adult Small: 3-1/2″ to 4″; Medium: 4-1/4″ to 5-3/4″; Large: 6″ to 7″; XLarge: 7-1/4″ or larger.
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.Â
