Nowadays, as with Tropical species, all Marine
fish which we offer for sale are from internationally regulated and
sustainable sources. Many, such as the clown fish, are actually tank
breed, while others, sometimes described as "wild caught", are in
reality from managed reefs something akin to free-range fish farms. The
same is also true for Corals which are now cultured in an eco-friendly
way rather than being plundered from the natural reefs.
Angelfish Pomacanthidae
The Angelfish family, (Pomacanthidae), although closely related
to the Butterfly Fishes, are clearly distinguished by one specific
characteristic, a spine on the gill covers. This accounts for the Family
name which is derived from the Latin, Pom = "cover", acanthus= "spine".
The Family is subdivided into 9 genera although not all feature in the
aquarium trade.
Off the 9 groups, Apolemichthyes, Centropyge, Chaetodontoplus,
Euxiphipops, Genicanthus, Hobocanthus, Pomocanthus, Pygoplites and
Sumireyakko, perhaps Centropyge, (Dwarf Angels) is the best
known, it is certainly the most common amongst aquarists.
Angelfish are true reef fish, spending all their time in and around the
reef, rarely, if ever, venturing out into open water. The dwarf
species in particular are never far from a bolthole in the rubble and
crevices of the Coral, although larger species such at the Emperor or
Queen Angels are often seen "Cruising" and will even take up defensive
postures when approached by over inquisitive divers.
As aquarists one off our prime considerations is size, or lack off, and
so I have divided this family into two sections. This section covers all
the larger genera, but as many as totally unsuitable for the home
aquarium, it is not overcrowded. A second section is devoted solely to
the Centropyge group (Dwarf Angels) as these are generally considered as the most suitable for home aquaria.
Angelfish
display a great diversity in not only their feeding habits, but also in
their behaviour. Many of the larger species exhibit
distinct differences between juvenile and adult pattern and colouration
such as the Emperor Angel. In the wild, adults will happily
tolerate numerous juveniles living within their territory, but once
their adult colouration begins to appear they are driven off to find
their own spot on the Reef. Clearly this is not possibly in the average
aquarium so as a general rule only one of any genera per tank.
In the wild Angels, like their cousins the Butterflies, are grazers and
will roam the reef eating a wide variety of food, everything from algae
to most of the "Greens". They will also unfortunately browse on some of
the Coral polyps. While this may not be much of an issue on a reef
stretching for hundreds of metres, it can prove devastating in a
1 - 2 metre tank. For this reason they are generally considered as
unsafe in a reef aquarium.
Photo Galleries
Angelfish
display a great diversity in not only their feeding habits, but also in
their behaviour. Many of the larger species exhibit
distinct differences between juvenile and adult pattern and colouration
such as the Emperor Angel. In the wild, adults will happily
tolerate numerous juveniles living within their territory, but once
their adult colouration begins to appear they are driven off to find
their own spot on the Reef. Clearly this is not possibly in the average
aquarium so as a general rule only one of any genera per tank. 
