Holacanthus ciliaris (Queen Angelfish)
Photo © Xinmin Li
Photo by Lazlo Ilyes 
Family: Pomacanthidae
Scientific name: Holacanthus ciliaris
Common name: Queen Angelfish
Origin: Western Atlantic; Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil.
Adult size: 45cm
Lifespan: 15-20 years
Sex: No obvious differences between male and female.
Minimum aquarium size: 200cm
Aquarium decor: Rock; not suitable for reef systems, especially those containing live sponges and corals.
Temperature: 24-28°C
Water chemistry: pH 8.1-8.4; Specific gravity 1.020-1.025
Diet: Omnivore; in the wild the Queen Angelfish lives mainly on sponges. Feed sponge-based Angelfish food as well as marine algae and a variety of live and frozen foods, little and often.
Swimming level: All
Compatibility: Queen Angelfish are territorial and aggressive towards other angelfish, especially other Queen Angelfish.
Comments: Queen Angelfish are nitrite intolerent and can be difficult to feed. They will graze over living rock for food. Although they are not reef safe they will do better in an aquarium with living rock than one without it.
The Juvenile Angelfish looks very different from the adult. All Angelfish do best if purchased as juveniles or as they are changing colour, adults often do not adjust well to aquarium life.
