Pomacanthus maculosus (Yellowbar angelfish)
Pomacanthus maculosus (Yellowbar angelfish)
Written by Tuesday, 26 January 2010 00:00
See photoalbum of Pomacanthus maculosus.
Scientific Name or classification Common Name Synonyms Family Pomacanthidae Type Locality Massawa, Eritrea, Red Sea Etymology Size (TL or SL in cm) Identification Sexing Suspected (but not confirmed) sequential hermaphrodites (protogynous). (3) Females change to males when the dominant male disappears from the harem. We have also found a reference indicating that the "size-at-age relationships were highly asymptotic in form with the majority of growth being achieved early in life. There were significant differences in the growth characteristics between sexes for Pomacanthus maculosus, with males approaching a larger asymptotic size at a faster rate than females". (4) Natural distribution Distributed throughout the Persian Gulf, the northwestern Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The species lives mainly in coral and rocky areas, in shallow to moderate depths (forty feet), though it is more often in silty reef areas than in rich coral growth. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. pH Higher pH, 8.2-8.4 is recommended. Temperature Standard for tropical marine tanks (24o-26oC) Other parameters Exacting, as is for most Red Sea biotopes. Keep your water clean and constant in it's chemistry and physics. A higher density is appreciated, at least close to a specific gravity of 1.025. Be religious in your frequent partial water changes. Feeding Varied diet, including ample vegetable matter, meaty fare and, occasionally, special angelfish rations containing marine sponges. Feed 2-3 times daily. Compatibility Like other large angels this fish enjoys a thoroughly stocked reef tank, to eat! They do and will sample everything; anemones, algae, tubeworms, corals. Not much attacks them once they establish their alpha dominance. Suggested Other large fish. Furniture Well decorated, natural algal growth is preferable. Suitability for A great first angelfish, hardy and disease resistant. It is reported as not suitable for reef aquaria. (8, 9) Recommended 400 L (100 gal) Behaviour in Other remarks Breeding References / Citations: 2. Wikipedia 4. E. Grandcourt, T. Z. Al Abdessalaam, F. Francis and A. Al Shamsi, "Age-based life history parameters and status assessments of by-catch species (Lethrinus borbonicus, Lethrinus microdon, Pomacanthus maculosus and Scolopsis taeniatus) in the southern Arabian Gulf", Journal of Applied Ichthyology, Published Online: 11 Jan 2010 5. Animal World 6. Microcosm Aquarium Explorer 7. Fishbase (8) Salt Corner (9) Wikipedia General
Pomacanthus maculosus (Forsskål, 1775)
Yellowbar angelfish, Maculosus angelfish, Map angelfish, Half moon or Blue moon angelfish, Yellowblotch angelfish
Chaetodon maculosus, Holacanthus striatus, Pomacanthops filamentosus
From Greek, poma = cover + Greek, akantha = thorn. From Latin maculosus = spotty
Species Information
30 cm (11.8 inches)
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 20 It is very similar in appearance with the asfur angelfish which is found in over-lapping habitats in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. The maculosus can be distinguished from the asfur primarily by its tail colour, which is pale to clear, while the asfur's tail is bright yellow. As with other large angelfish of the genus Pomacanthus, juveniles and sub-adults are differently marked and coloured than adults. Small maculosus angelfish are alternately blue-white and black banded.
Habitat
Husbandry
Tankmates
reef tank
Tank Size
Captivity This fish is downright friendly, so curious that it often approaches the capturing diver on their meeting. Keep only one per tank, as they are likely to quarrel in most home aquaria. Juveniles will attack each other and similarly coloured members of the family. Pomacanthus maculosus will not typically throw its weight around unless its tankmates are close relatives or they are added to a crowded tank after the angel has been in the aquarium for some time. (5)
If you are going to be spending big money for the right livestock do not scrimp on reliable, well designed / engineered / constructed filter gear, installed and maintained properly. Opt for reputable equipment.
Breeding
This species is now regularly raised in Taiwan and the offspring are extremely hardy. In the wild the type of mating system employed by Pomacanthus is dependent on the density of the population at a particular location. In one area they may form permanent pairs while in other areas, where the species is more common, they may form harems. Each harem consists of a male defending several females in a small area. In all systems, however, these fish spawn in pairs. Pairs congregate at the edge of the reef at sunset. They often engage in a courtship display where the male and female swim in a brisk head to tail circling motion. Each pair will spawn and ascend into the water column. Swimming together in an arc up to about 7 - 10 feet (2 - 3 meters) above the substrate, they expel pelagic eggs at the summit. (5) Both eggs and larvae drift with plankton in the water column and settle back onto a reef at about the time of metamorphosis. These are among the most challenging types of marine fishes to breed in captivity. (6) Breeding has not been, todate, reported in home aquaria.
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