© Rickard Zerpe / CC BY 2.0Threespot angelfish
The Threespot angelfish is a bright lemon-yellow angelfish with lips that look as if they were painted blue. A bluish-black spot sits behind the head and a pale brown spot behind the eye, which makes it easy to tell apart from its relatives. It reaches a maximum total length of 26 cm, so it needs room to grow. Its care level is rated for experienced hobbyists, and some individuals take time to accept prepared foods, so it suits aquarists who already have marine fish-keeping experience. Its vivid color can bring real energy to a well-established tank.
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Apply as a breederThreespot angelfish key facts
- Care level
- Advanced
- Size
- Up to 26 cm TL
- Temperature
- 22〜29℃
- Diet
- Omnivore (mainly sponges and tunicates)
- Water Temperature & Quality
- 22-29°C, specific gravity 1.020-1.026 (Saltcorner).
- Container & Tank
- About 570 L (150 gallons) or more. It is shy, so provide plenty of caves and hiding places, and keep it as the only angelfish.
- Tank Mates & Compatibility
- Keep it as the only angelfish, in a fish-only tank.
- Reef Compatibility
- It nips stony corals (LPS and SPS), soft corals and clam mantles, so it is not reef-safe.
- Diet & Feeding
- Its staple is sponges and tunicates and some fish are slow to take prepared foods. Combine sponge-containing frozen angelfish foods, brine shrimp, mysis and algae-based foods.
- Health & Cautions
- Getting it to eat is the main challenge, so confirm it is taking prepared food before buying. Use a container rather than a net, as the cheek spine snags.
About Threespot angelfish
Meet the Threespot angelfish: lemon-yellow body, blue lips, and a bluish-black spot behind the head. It grows to 26 cm and is best suited to experienced aquarists. Learn what to know before bringing one home.
7 things to know before welcoming a Threespot angelfish
1Plan for up to 26 cm
The Threespot angelfish reaches a maximum total length of 26 cm, so a small tank will feel cramped as it grows. Choose a larger tank with plenty of open swimming space, sized for the adult fish rather than the juvenile.
2Advanced level, long-term care
This species is rated for advanced hobbyists, and reliable information on its lifespan is limited. Bring one home only when you are ready to care for it over the long term.
3Feeding can take time
In the wild it is said to feed on sponges and similar organisms, and some individuals take time to accept prepared foods. Ask the seller what the fish is eating and how well it feeds before you commit.
4Not suited to reef tanks
It picks at corals (both hard and soft) and the mantles of giant clams, so it is not suited to a reef tank. Keep it in a fish-only tank.
5One angelfish, fish-only tank
It is relatively low in aggression for an angelfish, but it is shy at first. Keep only one angelfish in the tank, and keep it in a fish-only setup. Providing plenty of rockwork with caves and hiding places helps it settle in.
6Quarantine and observe
A newly arrived fish can be stressed by the move. Keeping it in a separate quarantine tank for a while lets you check its appetite, breathing, and skin before it goes into the main tank.
7Keep water conditions stable
Angelfish tend to struggle when water conditions swing suddenly. Introduce the fish into a mature, stable tank and acclimate it slowly, for example with the drip method.
Frequently asked questions about Threespot angelfish
- Q.Can a beginner keep this fish?
- A.Its care level is rated for experienced hobbyists, so it is not a good first marine fish. It is safer to consider it after you have gained experience with water management and getting fish to feed.
- Q.How large does it grow?
- A.The maximum total length is 26 cm according to FishBase. Prepare a tank sized for the adult fish.
- Q.Is it safe to keep with corals?
- A.It is not recommended. It picks at hard corals, soft corals, and the mantles of giant clams, so it is not suited to a reef tank and should be kept in a fish-only tank.
- Q.Will it eat prepared foods?
- A.Some individuals take time to accept prepared foods. Before you decide, ask the seller what the fish is currently eating and how well it feeds.
- Q.How long does it live?
- A.Reliable information on its lifespan is limited, so no clear figure can be given. Plan for long-term care and set up a stable environment before bringing one home.
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Learn more about Threespot angelfish in the encyclopedia
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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
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