French angelfish

Pomacanthus paru

Family : Pomacanthidae

FishMarinepoisson-ange

The French angelfish is a large black angelfish with yellow scales and a white mouth. It is common on Caribbean reefs.

French angelfish — photo 1 sur 4 — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain1 / 4

Popularity

Advanced marine fish

large tank + demanding parameters

Availability

Specialty only

Shop availability

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Description

This angelfish has a black body with yellow-edged scales, giving a reticulated appearance. The mouth is white and the pectoral fins are yellow. Juveniles are black with vertical yellow bands. It can reach 40 cm. It is territorial and semi-aggressive. It feeds mainly on sponges, algae, and bryozoans. In an aquarium, it needs a large volume and many hiding places.

Habitat

Region :

Coral reefs and rocky areas

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature24–28 °C

pH8.1–8.4

GH0–0 °dGH

KH8–12 °dKH

Salinity1.02–1.025 ‰

NO₃

≤ 20 mg/L

PO₄

≤ 0.1 mg/L

Calcium

≥ 400 ppm

Magnesium

≥ 1250 ppm

Light

Medium

Flow

Medium

Care

Difficulty

3/5

Diet

Herbivore

Min. tank

600 L

Min. group

Adult size

40 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Temperament

Semi-agressif

Propagation

Non reproduit en captivité

Care notes

Temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, dKH 8-12. A minimum 600-liter tank is recommended. Provide live rock for grazing. Diet should include sponges, algae, shrimp, and mussels. Avoid keeping with other similarly sized angelfish. It can be kept in a reef tank but may nip at soft corals. Moderate water flow and strong filtration are needed. Weekly 20% water changes.

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