Holacanthus passer, commonly known as the king angelfish or passer angelfish, is a large marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. Its striking combination of large size and bright colors makes it a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts, despite the challenges associated with keeping it.
Here are some fascinating details about the king angelfish:
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Distribution: This non-migratory tropical fish inhabits reefs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the coast of Peru north to the Gulf of California. It can also be found around offshore islands, including the Galapagos, at depths of 4–30 meters.
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Appearance: Both males and females exhibit similar visual characteristics. As they mature, they undergo significant changes in coloration. Juvenile king angelfish are primarily yellow, with iridescent blue-rimmed fins, blue striping towards the posterior of their bodies, and an orange mask around the eye. Sexually mature king angelfish have mostly brown or blue bodies (depending on lighting conditions), with the same blue rimming around the fins and a yellow tail.
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Size: King angelfish generally grow to a length of 35 cm. They possess strong spikes under their lower cheeks for defensive purposes.
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Habitat and Diet: These fish primarily inhabit the middle and bottom of the water column in rocky tropical reefs. They feed on a variety of food sources, including sponges, other sessile invertebrates, zooplankton, and certain species of benthic microalgae. Interestingly, they also engage in cleaning interactions with scalloped hammerhead sharks.
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Aquarium Challenges: While king angelfish are somewhat popular in aquariums, their large size, specialized diet, and high cost make them comparatively challenging pets. They have not bred successfully in captivity and are known for being picky eaters. Their dietary requirements include sponges and tunicates, which can be difficult to provide in a home aquarium. Additionally, they are not ideal community inhabitants and can be dominant and aggressive towards smaller tankmates.
Despite these complexities, the king angelfish remains a captivating addition to marine aquariums.
