Pomacanthus arcuatus

Datasheet

General Description

The Gray Angelfish, scientifically known as Pomacanthus arcuatus, belongs to the Pomacanthus genus of Angelfish and is renowned for its stunning array of colors and patterns. These fish primarily inhabit sponges, soft corals, tunicates, and macroalgae in their natural environment, showcasing a distinct difference in appearance between their juvenile and adult stages. With proper feeding, they can grow rapidly and attain a considerable size, typically taking over a week to adapt to aquarium feeding habits, emphasizing the need for frequent but smaller feedings throughout the day.

Aquarium Suitability

Considered suitable with care, Gray Angelfish demand a very large aquarium when fully grown, posing a challenge due to their size requirements which may surpass the capacity of typical home aquariums. The species' aggressive nature towards other fish necessitates caution when housing them with peaceful or docile species, recommending a well-thought-out setup with ample feeding, hiding spots, and sufficient space to mitigate aggressive tendencies to some extent.

Care and Hardiness

Gray Angelfish require a high water quality, particularly emphasizing the necessity for well-oxygenated water to thrive. These fish can be initially shy when introduced to a new aquarium, benefitting from good hiding places such as live rocks to acclimatize comfortably. Maintaining a well-established aquarium with algae-rich surfaces allows them to graze naturally and supplement their diet adequately.

Reef Suitability

Not deemed reef-safe, Gray Angelfish may pose a threat to coral reefs in aquarium settings due to their tendency to target soft corals and LPS (Large Polyp Stony Corals). While challenging, selective coral choices can potentially enable a mixed coral aquarium with precautionary measures.

Aquarium Setup

Creating an optimal environment for Gray Angelfish involves providing ample swimming space and numerous hiding spots, with live rocks serving as ideal shelters. Ensuring a well-run aquarium with abundant algae for grazing is essential for their dietary needs, and it is advisable to supplement with suitable foods like seaweed, spirulina, and other invertebrates.

Behaviour

These fish can exhibit aggressive behavior, particularly towards other species, hence should be introduced into a tank cautiously and potentially as the last addition. Gray Angelfish are known to produce grunting sounds when feeling threatened and can be initially timid before acclimatizing to their surroundings.

Feeding and Diet

Gray Angelfish require a varied diet consisting of larger crustaceans, macroalgae, microalgae, invertebrates, and small crustaceans like krill and mysis shrimp. Offering a diverse range of foods multiple times a day helps meet their nutritional needs and supports their overall health and well-being.

Dimorphism

In terms of dimorphism, Gray Angelfish exhibit the ability to change gender from female to male, a phenomenon observed in their natural reproductive behaviors. They can also be bred in captivity, adding to the potential diversity of sourcing these fish sustainably for aquarium enthusiasts.

Habitat and Distribution

Found in the Western Atlantic region spanning from New England, USA to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including areas like the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, Gray Angelfish typically inhabit diverse marine environments characterized by the presence of sponges, soft corals, and macroalgae. Their distribution highlights their adaptability to varied habitats within the specified geographic range.