Last updated on September 6th, 2023 at 05:10 am
The Clarion angelfish is one of the most popular angelfish in the hobby. They are usually found in pairs, with a female and male per group. Clarion angelfish are known to be aggressive towards other Clarion angelfishes, so they should not be housed with other Clarions.
They can grow up to 9 inches long and live for around 10 years if cared for properly.
The Clarion angelfish is a beautiful fish that ranges in size from 3 to 10 inches. They are usually brown on top with more vivid colors on the underside. However, Clarions come in many different color varieties and can be found in an array of colors like blue, green, yellow, red and pink!
They are one of the most popular schooling species for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums due to their peaceful nature.
Origin and description
The Clarion Angelfish is native to the Pacific Ocean and is specifically found near both Hawaii and Mexico. These fish are typically a brilliant, orange color but can also be white or light blue in some cases. They have green eyes with black rings around them that give them an especially impressive look while swimming along reefs at night when they seem to glow.
They can grow to be up to 20 cm in length, and the females typically reach a slightly larger size than males. They are also known for having long fins that stream out behind them while swimming almost like banners blowing in the wind. Their big eyes help them see well even at night when they hunt their prey of small invertebrates.
The Clarion Angelfish is one of the most popular marine aquarium fish because they are not only beautiful, but also very peaceful and do well with other non-aggressive tank mates. They are usually sold when they are small around three centimeters in length for this reason, while it can be hard to find larger specimens that were caught in the wild.
Species profile
Clarion angelfish are in the Pomacanthidae family. They’re known for having very long fins and a black vertical stripe through their eyes. The females have shorter pectoral fins than males, but they’ll both develop them as they mature into adulthood. As juveniles, Clarion angels blend in with their surroundings, but as they become adults, their colors will get brighter.
Scientific name
The Scientific name of the clarion angelfish is Holacanthus clarionensis
Color and appearance
Clarion angelfish are silver with blue and yellow accents. They have a black vertical stripe through their eyes, long fins, and toothed beaks similar to other angels in the Holocanthus genus.
The males develop longer pectoral fins than females as they mature into adulthood. The juveniles blend in well with their surroundings but as they grow, their colors become brighter.
Range and habitat
They are found in the Indo-Pacific region from East Africa to the Line Islands and Pitcairn Island. They’re known for inhabiting coral reefs at a depth of up to 30 meters deep where there is plenty of hiding spaces.
Holocanthus clarionensis can be found anywhere between 20°N and 20°S latitude. This is a tropical marine biome from the surface to 100 meters below, and they’re found in coral reefs throughout their habitat
They are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with a conservation status of “Least Concern.” They have no known major threats, but there is some overfishing happening that could affect their numbers in the future if it continues to occur.
Size
Clarion angelfish are on average 20 inches long, with the biggest reaching 30 inches.
Tank size
Since the clarion angelfish are reef dwellers, they’ll need a tank with at least 30 gallons of water. And since they can grow up to 30 inches long, it would be best to have an even larger one, but that isn’t necessary as long as your fish is getting enough attention and playtime outside their habitat
They are best kept in a reef tank. They’ll do well with other fish but shouldn’t be housed with smaller ones that they could eat, and it would also be helpful to have rocks or coral where they can hide if needed.
Life cycle
The life cycle of the clarion angelfish starts with them being inside their mother’s ovary for several months before they’re born. They spend the first few weeks of life attached to her, and then live independently after that until reaching sexual maturity when males will find a mate.
Clarion angelfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means that if there isn’t a male in the tank, one of the females will become a male.
There is no breeding season for clarion angelfish and they’re able to produce multiple batches throughout their life with each spawning lasting around 12 days when fertilized by males. They lay 500-2000 eggs per spawn which hatch after 48 hours into tiny larvae.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Clarion angelfish are peaceful fish that can be kept with others of the same species, but they shouldn’t be housed with smaller ones since there is a chance the bigger one could eat them.
They’re not aggressive towards other tank mates unless food is involved, in which case it’s best to have only one per tank so everyone gets enough to eat.
Clarion angelfish care
Clarion angelfish are hardy fish that can deal with a range of water parameters. They’re not picky eaters and will consume most types of food including flakes, pellets, frozen foods like brine shrimp or Mysis shrimp (which should be soaked in tank water first), live feeder fish, algae wafers, spirulina flakes, and plant material.
Clarion angelfish are not picky about what type of substrate they live in, but it’s best to use a sand bed at least four inches deep with lots of rocks or corals for hiding places.
Clarion angelfish diet
They are omnivores and should be fed a variety of foods. They need to be provided with both meaty food like brine shrimp, krill, Mysis shrimp, squid and frozen seafood mixes as well as algae-based flake or pellet diets.
Tank mates
Clarion angelfish can be kept with most types of fish, but they might eat small crustaceans or invertebrates. They shouldn’t be combined with large aggressive fish like triggers and sharks because they will likely become a meal for these larger tank mates. It’s best to keep them in groups because they are very peaceful fish.
Water conditions
Clarion angelfish can deal with a wide range of water conditions. They will do well in tropical reef tanks from 73-78 degrees Fahrenheit, but they need to be acclimated slowly when moved from colder waters or brackish environments. To add some interest to the tank, provide them with moderate lighting and strong currents so they have plenty of places in which to swim.
Breeding
Clarion angelfish are very easy to breed in the home aquarium. They’re monogamous and only spawn when they feel safe, so providing them with plenty of space will help increase their chances of spawning successfully. Feed them lots of nutritious foods like mysis shrimp that contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (like omega-three) and they should start to spawn.
Clarion angelfish will live for around 15 years if kept properly and can grow as long as six inches. They’re a great beginner fish because of their hardiness and ease of care, but they can also be an interesting addition to more advanced tanks that have plenty of rocks or other hiding places to keep them from being stressed out.
They are hardy, peaceful fish that can be easily kept in the home aquarium by hobbyists of all experience levels. They’re omnivores and will eat a wide variety of foods including spirulina flakes or pellets made for herbivores, so it’s important to feed them a balanced diet.
They’re also very peaceful and shouldn’t be housed with large fish like triggers because they may become a snack. They will breed in the home aquarium, so provide them with lots of space to swim and nutritious foods for best success.
Lifespan
Clarion angelfish can live up to 15 years in a well-maintained tank.
Parasites and diseases
Clarion angelfish are hardy fish that don’t get sick easily. They can be prone to ich if stressed, but they’re fairly disease resistant and may not need medications in the home aquarium unless their immune system has been compromised by poor water conditions or starvation.
Predators
In the wild, they are prey for sharks and large fish. In captivity, they may fall victim to ich if their immune system is compromised or starving due to a lack of appropriate foods in the tank.
Clarion angelfish can be housed with most types of tropical fish but it’s best not to house them with larger, more aggressive fish because they may become prey.
Does it make good pets?
Yes, they are relatively easy fish to care for and can be kept by hobbyists of all levels. They’re hardy but need well-balanced diets so it’s important to feed them nutritious foods like flakes made especially for herbivores.
Conclusion
Clarion angelfish can be kept with most types of fish but they may become prey for large, aggressive tank mates. They’re monogamous and will breed in the home aquarium if provided with nutritious foods that are high in omega-three fatty acids.
These beautiful angels are perfect for beginner hobbyists because they’re hardy and peaceful, but they can also be interesting additions to more advanced tanks that have plenty of hiding places.
