Banded Angelfish

General information

The Banded Angelfish, scientific name Apolemichthys arcuatus, is a marine fish species belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. This species is also commonly known as the Arched Angelfish, Arched Stripe Angelfish, Banded Angel, and Curved Angelfish. 
Banded Angelfish can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length and have a highly compressed, oval-shaped body with an arched forehead. They have a yellow to orange-yellow body with black stripes that curve along the body. Juveniles have a different color pattern with a blue-gray body and two white stripes.

In the wild, the Banded Angelfish feeds on a variety of sponges, algae, and tunicates. In captivity, they should be fed a varied diet of high-quality marine meaty foods such as frozen or fresh mysis shrimp, krill, and squid. They may also accept some plant-based foods like spirulina flakes or pellets.

The breeding habits of the Banded Angelfish are not well-known. In the wild, they are reported to spawn during the summer months. It is believed that they form monogamous pairs and lay demersal eggs.

Banded Angelfish are generally hardy and not susceptible to diseases if kept in optimal conditions. However, they are susceptible to common saltwater fish diseases such as marine ich and marine velvet.

The Banded Angelfish is native to the Western Pacific Ocean, including the Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, and New Caledonia.

The Banded Angelfish should not be kept with other large angelfish or other aggressive fish as they may be subject to bullying or may become aggressive themselves. They should also not be kept with small invertebrates, as they may prey on them.

Banded Angelfish should be slowly acclimated to the aquarium water by floating the bag in the aquarium for about 15 minutes to allow the water temperature to equalize. Afterward, the fish should be gradually introduced to the aquarium water over the course of about an hour.