Angel fish is a bright inhabitant of tropical waters. Angel fish. Lifestyle and habitat of angel fish Scientists of the world consider angel fish

The family of the same name belongs to the order Perciformes. Tropical seas are their home.

Now there are 85 varieties of these fish. The closest relative of the angelfish is the butterflyfish, due to the resemblance external structure they were previously considered to belong to the same family.

However, the angelfish is larger than its close relative.

The average size of the fish is up to 30 cm, but there are also champions with a length of 60 cm, as well as babies, whose length is only 12-15 cm.

The bodies of the fish are flattened, and the large head and tail are short, so the fish itself resembles a parallelepiped.

On the outer part of the gill cover there is a spike, the tip of which is directed backwards. The pectoral fins are pointed, and the pelvic fins are located very close to the pectorals, usually slightly in front or directly below them, the dorsal and anal fins are very large, do not have sharp rays. Due to their habitat in tropical seas, all fish of this family have a bright, colorful color, which can take the form of stripes or nets, colored in blue, blue, yellow, orange and black. Also, sea angels have strong discrepancies in the appearance of young fish and fish that have reached puberty, initially they were even considered different species.

Angel fish loves warmth very much, therefore it lives only in tropical climate, and only in the seas, mainly in shallow water - up to 50 m deep. If this fish takes up its own small area on the coral reef, it will not only become its permanent property, but in addition, the border of the property will be carefully guarded by the fish.

Usually, these fish live in small flocks (mostly no more than 6 fish), and are active during the day, and peacefully doze at night in comfortable shelters. They are very calm: seeing a diver, the angel fish is not afraid and does not swim away, but it also does not show much interest in a person.

Angelfish are not afraid of people - divers can easily watch them.

There is a huge variety of dishes on the angel fish menu: from ordinary multicellular marine plants to small invertebrates. But it must be remembered that each a certain kind Angelfish have their favorite type of food. It is quite dangerous for a person to eat this type of fish, since the muscle tissue of the fish accumulates a lot of toxins, which are easy to poison after eating the meat of this fish. However, this has absolutely no effect on carnivorous animals that use angelfish as food.

The types of reproduction also depend on the specific type of angelfish: someone forms pairs, and someone has a male with a whole lot of females (however, if this male dies, then one of this many females will turn into a male due to a hormonal shift ).

Aesthetic pleasure, peace, removal of depressive syndromes and stress - all this gives contemplation aquarium fish OK. Not in vain in Ancient China noticed this feature and for the first time began to breed them. And the angel fish, moreover, with its beauty and elegance is a wonderful decoration for any aquarium.

Origin and habitat

These heat-loving fish live in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, near coral reefs at various depths, but mostly up to 50 meters. In the shallows of the reefs large groups angels choose for themselves areas for permanent residence and protect them. Large angels can "capture" areas of more than a thousand square meters, pygmy angels - a small coral colony.

Description

Angelfish (Pomacanthidae in Latin) refers to bony fish order perch-like, has a flat physique and a high back. A small mouth is located at the end of a slightly pointed or rounded muzzle. One of distinctive features is a massive spike located on the gills below, directed backward and distinguished by its color. The fins on the chest are pointed, on the abdomen - located under the pectoral fins and somewhat in front. Broad dorsal and anal fins.

Angels can be from 6 to 60 centimeters long, but usually they grow up to 20-30 centimeters, the smallest adults are 12-15 centimeters. Very bright and colorful coloring in the form of a pattern in a mesh or striped pattern. The drawing itself is yellow, blue, orange or black. With age, the variegation of color does not change at all, on the contrary. The difference in coloration between young and adult fish is very interesting. Juveniles have a completely different color, previously because of this they were even mistakenly considered a different species. This is due to the fact that groups of angels zealously defend their territory from fellow tribesmen, identifying those by color, and the “trifle”, having a different color, can swim unrecognized. As already mentioned, fish live in large groups, which, in turn, are divided into subgroups, and those - into pairs or "harem groups" of one male and several females. By nature, these are calm and even slightly shy fish, but in relation to relatives they are energetically aggressive.

Did you know? The smallest fish is Schindleria prematurus. She is also the lightest. Her weight is only 2 milligrams.

Popular species for keeping in aquariums

In the world, or rather, in the oceans, there are more than 85 species of angel fish. Of these, in the Atlantic Ocean - nine species, the rest - in the Pacific and Indian. But we will only talk about some aquarium species of these fish.

Its main differences are elegance and bright colors. The copper body is diagonally crossed by elongated bright blue stripes, the tail is white-blue with a copper edging. The colors of this angel just shine. The dorsal fin is extended towards the posterior end of the body, thus giving a special grace to the shape. He needs sea ​​water with a temperature of +23...+25 degrees.

Imperial

One of the largest aquarium species. The emperor angelfish is usually about 40 centimeters long. Its light brown head is adorned with a spectacular darkish mask, and its muzzle and orange anal fin are expressively distinguished by thin neon-blue stripes. Restrained blue body with many bright yellow stripes with a lemon sheen running along the calf. Tail and dorsal fins lemon. The water temperature for this fish is from +24 to +26 degrees.

Big and handsome. The basic tone of the body is yellow or orange-yellow with transverse sparkling stripes edged in black. On the dark dorsal fin- graceful intricate pattern, anal soft-blue fin is decorated with graceful orange stripes. Temperature regime: +24...+27 degrees.

In his youth, he is very effective - all in black, with intersecting yellow and white stripes, this contrast creates a special beauty. But when it grows up, it will acquire a muted and more sophisticated coloring. The body will become olive-yellowish, with an iridescent copper tint, and the pattern will also change - it will become darkish-spotted with thin blue stripes. It will be good for him in water with +25...+27 degrees.

red striped angel

A small, one might say dwarf, angel of 15-16 centimeters, or even less. Its coloration is not as radiant as the others, but it is also beautiful: rich red-orange stripes crossing a silver-gray body. Its darkish caudal and anal fins are adorned with neon blue ribbon, Bottom part bodies with pectoral fins are golden. The red-striped angel prefers water with parameters +25...+27.

Again, juveniles and adults have different colors. The little ones and the "boys" have dazzling blue, black and white shades. Stripes running in a semicircle along a dark blue body. But the older ones have stunningly unusual and sophisticated colors, but not so defiant. On the greenish-brown sides there are many small dark dots, and on the edges of the fins there is a bright blue stripe. An elongated stigma, running along the entire body to the caudal fin, the dorsal and anal fins make the fish almost square in shape. The water temperature is similar to the previous two.

Did you know? Anostomus fish are upside down when swimming and at rest.

The angel itself is unpretentious and does not mind coexisting with all the fish. But the fish is strict to the living conditions and care.

Aquarium device

To create acceptable conditions, an aquarium with a capacity of at least 250 liters and at least 50 centimeters high is required.

Important! The aquarium must be quiet place: Angelfish can't stand loud noises.

As soil, small pebbles or dark-colored coarse sand are suitable. It is important to plant enough aquarium plants to hide the fish, but you also need to save a place for swimming.
Naturally, one must not forget about aeration and proper filtration. Water should be changed weekly, at least 20% of the total volume. The decor of the aquarium will also be useful - small caves, tunnels, steps, recesses made of corals, even if artificial, but processed.

Water parameters

Angelfish of all kinds need quality, filtered water with controlled ammonium, nitrite and nitrate concentrations. If there are signs of deteriorating water purity, take measures to reduce the amount of harmful additives. Ideally, the water should be at a temperature similar to the temperature in the pond where the fish lives in vivo. Water pH is recommended in the range of 8.1-8.4.

Feed

Angelfish are gluttonous, but picky in food. He likes frozen peas, but only those that have already been thawed and peeled. Sometimes I don’t mind eating frozen brine shrimp (also thawed). You can use ready-made food sticks with spirulina bought in zoological stores as food.

Important! All dry food products should be soaked before feeding, otherwise the digestive tract of the fish will be upset.

Protein must also be present in the diet. In general, the best foods are shrimp, squid, plankton, krill, shellfish (crushed). Fish should be fed no more than four times a day. However, it is important that the diet is varied and of high quality components.

Reproduction and lifespan

By the tenth month of life, the fish angelfish reaches puberty and then for reproduction should be created special conditions: select a pair ready for breeding and transplant into a spawning ground (it is not difficult to determine a pair - it keeps apart on its territory).

The spawning area must first be equipped with aeration and large-leaved plants (the female will subsequently spawn on them). Raise the water temperature to +28...+29 degrees. Spawning can last more than one hour, during which time 300 to 700 eggs will be released (but only half will be born). By 7-9 days the fry will hatch.

Important! As soon as the fry appear, the fish need to be fed with fractional and very small food.

Diseases and treatment

All living things get sick and these lovely fish are no exception. And we will consider what they most often get sick with, and how to treat them.

Angel fish (pomacanthus) - sea ​​fish belonging to the perch order. calling card of this family is an unusually bright and intricate coloration, in which there are stripes, bizarre lines and spots. Also a characteristic feature of the angel is a spike on the gill cover. Due to the complexity of care and enough large sizes angel fish can be seen in large public aquariums. home content- a rarity, it requires serious material investments, a lot of experience and takes a lot of time and effort.

natural habitat

In nature, angel fish is found in tropical zone three oceans: Indian, Atlantic and Pacific. Prefers to live in shallow water near the coast, rarely descends to a depth below 50m.

Fish angels secure the territory near the coral reef and fiercely guard it from their fellow tribesmen. large species can capture possessions of 1000m², small ones are content with several colonies of corals.

Types and their description

The average size of these inhabitants of coral reefs is 20-30 cm, some grow up to 60 cm, the smallest species do not exceed 12-15 cm.

To date, science knows about 85 subspecies of angel fish.

Members of the Pomacanthidae family have characteristic shape body that looks like a rectangle. This visual impression is due to the shortened caudal fin and large high forehead of the fish.

Royal

Bright and elegant fish growing up to 25 cm. king fish the angel is the owner of a bizarre coloration of white-blue, dark blue and orange stripes contrasting with each other. The tail, ventral and pectoral fins are yellow, the dorsal fin at the end is deep blue, the anal fin is decorated with a honey-blue striped pattern.

blue ring

The fish has a dark copper shade of scales with an interesting pattern in the form of bright blue stripes. This species is considered especially graceful and is often found in species aquariums, but requires very large volumes.

Imperial

An interesting fish with a dominant turquoise color in color and horizontal stripes of a contrasting yellow hue. The large beige-yellow head has a dark mask. The dorsal and caudal fins are yellow, the anal fin is orange with neon edging. The imperial angel can grow up to 40 cm.

Juveniles are jet black with yellow and blue stripes. With age, the base color changes to yellowish-olive with thin blue lines and dark speckling.

red striped

A miniature species that grows no more than 15 cm in length. The fish has a silver-gray color and is decorated with bright blood-red or orange transverse lines. The dark blue tail and anal fin are outlined with a light blue neon line. Paired fins, lips and eye outline marked in soft orange. This species requires a good mature aquarium with a well-established ecosystem where a large number of underwater plants and small invertebrates.

The view is also called semicircular. Juveniles are colored in blue, white and black tones, but over time the fish acquires a calmer coloration in greenish-brown tones with frequent speckling.

In aquariums, you can also find black, bicolor, lyretail and other species. When buying young animals, you need to be confident in the breeder, as well as know the exact description of the appearance and behavior of an adult.

Compatibility with other fish

Usually pomacanthus are not kept with relatives due to pronounced intraspecific aggression.. Fights for a piece of territory can often result in the death of one of the fighters. They can live with other reef fish, not much different from the angel in size.

Due to their gastronomic preferences, the society of sponges and other invertebrates is contraindicated for pomacanthus, since the latter will be mercilessly eaten. Small crustaceans, worms and live corals will also go into the stomach of the angel fish.

Large crabs can prey on angels and inflict significant injury on them. But the hermit crab is a good companion pomacanthus.

For a comfortable keeping of angel fish, an aquarium with a capacity of at least 250-300 liters and more than 50 cm in height is suitable. Fish prefer clean, filtered water with good aeration. It is important that the aquarium is located in a secluded, non-busy place, since pomacanthus love peace and cannot stand loud and harsh sounds.

For angels, a fairly large aquarium with a volume of 250 liters or more is required.

Caves, grottoes, corals are suitable as decor, where the fish could hide. Broad-leaved plants are also important, also serving as shelter and spawning grounds. The best soil- small pebbles or coarse-grained sand of dark tones. Along rear wall you need to plant small plants, which, in addition to the decorative function, will serve as food for the angel.

Lighting should be bright, and in addition to artificial, natural light should be present.

Water should be changed by 1/5 of the total volume every week, carefully monitor the concentration of nitrates, nitrites and ammonia.

For the successful living of an angel fish, the following parameters are suitable, the deviation from which is highly undesirable:

• acidity - 8.1 - 8.4 pH;
• water density - 1.021-1.029 (depending on the type);
• temperature - 21-27 ° C (depending on the type).

Nutrition

Angel fish is considered omnivorous and very voracious. Depending on the species, her diet should include live plants, sponges, and small invertebrates.

You can provide such a rich diet if you buy a specialized feed designed taking into account all the characteristics of the organism and the digestive tract of the fish.

If you make the menu yourself, then it must necessarily include spirulina and live sponges, as well as finely chopped meat of mussels, shrimp, squid. For a change, you can give scalded spinach.

Video: feeding angels

Angel fish eat 2-3 times a day in small portions; when feeding, you need to make sure that the food gets to the young and other species that live in the aquarium. Sometimes, with obvious overpopulation, pomacanthus simply do not let the weaker and smaller ones to the feeder, and they remain hungry.

Reproduction and lifespan

Some types of angelfish cannot breed in captivity. Such specimens are caught from the natural environment. But others are quite ready to reproduce in captivity. Pomacanthuses mature at an average of 10-12 months. Sexual demorphism is not expressed in them - the male is practically indistinguishable from the female. But it is not difficult to identify fish ready for spawning - they keep a couple away from other inhabitants of the aquarium.

To start the process, you need to create the required conditions: increase the water in the spawning ground to 28-29 ° C, plant large-leaved plant species there, on which caviar will spawn, and ensure good aeration.

An angel fish can spawn for more than one hour, in the end it will produce 300-700 eggs, half of which will later turn out to be infertile. After 7-9 days, the fry hatch.

Interestingly, juvenile pomacanthus are fundamentally different in color from adults. Due to the fact that angels drive away their own kind from their reef, the younger generation can safely exist side by side with their parents, since they take them for a different species. That's how nature took care of them.

Differences between adult angel anularis and juveniles are visible to the naked eye.

In the right conditions of a solid mature aquarium, pomacanthus live 10-18 years.

Diseases

Poor-quality and monotonous nutrition can provoke a disease such as lateral line erosion. The disease manifests itself in the destruction of the epithelium on the sides of the fish, affecting the head area up to the mouth. If timely action is not taken, the pet dies.

Also, angels often have bulging eyes. It's a consequence internal problems infectious nature. It is expressed in clouding of the eye, which is covered with a whitish film. The internal pressure increases, and the eye simply begins to move away from the body and increases in size. In advanced cases, the fish becomes blind and must be euthanized.

Angel fish can become infected with cryptocarionosis - marine ichthyophthiriosis. The disease makes itself felt in the form of white dots on the body, depression and lack of appetite. Properly selected and timely treatment will save the life of the fish.

Often outbreaks of diseases in the aquarium are the result of the negligent attitude of the owner.

Regular cleaning, high-quality food and maintenance of cleanliness will relieve many problems, both for the inhabitants of the aquarium and their owner.

Among the marine aquarium fish on the market, the angel is perhaps the most sought after, along with clown fish and surgeons. The riot of colors and bizarre ornaments of these fish are of great interest among aquarists, despite the difficulty in care and high price.

angel fish, or pomacanths (lat. Pomacanthidae) - a family of marine ray-finned fish from the perch-like order (Perciformes). The length can be from 6 to 60 cm. Angel fish are popular aquarium fish, but aquarium individuals are usually much smaller than ocean ones.

Some fish in tropical seas have an unseen bright color. Such a dazzling color on Earth, it would seem, cannot be. And where? Only in heaven, in heaven, where angels dwell. That is why people began to compare these beautiful fish with angels.

Angelfish live in the tropical latitudes of all the world's seas. Nine species are found in the Atlantic Ocean, the rest in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These fish prefer to live near coral reefs.

Angelfish usually live in pairs or in small harem groups consisting of one male and several females. On the reefs, they have clear areas that they defend from rivals.

The brightness of the color of angel fish is simple
incredible. Here is, for example, a lemon-yellow Three-spotted apolemicht
(Apolemichthys trimaculatus) he is a blue-lipped angel.

They say that sky Angels differ in rank. Well, angelfish are also divided into appearance. There are 8 genera with 90 species in the angelfish family. At the "lower" level of the fish hierarchy, there are simply angels: small, striped (aka multi-striped centropig) and semicircular (pockmarked pomacant).

Semicircular angel or speckled pomacanth
(Pomacanthus semicirculatus) has a green-brown body,
covered with blue stripes and spots. Young fish are dark blue
coloration with blue and white stripes all over the body

Above them in rank: blue-faced, emerald and especially imperial angel(Pomacanthus imperator), reaches a length of 40 centimeters. The emperors of the seas do not dart back and forth like their subjects, but live in a majestic palace, which is usually located among beautiful coral reefs. Usually these are several grottoes or cave-halls connected by passages.

All this splendor is intended to serve as a retreat for only one creature - the angel-emperor. If any other ruler decides to look here, he will be expelled in disgrace: get yourself your own palace, there is nothing to poke into other people's mansions! But the entrance is open to subjects here - they must appear to express admiration for the ruler's bright mantle.

What does an emperor look like? Young princes are content with modest but noble colors: white and blue with concentric circles and stripes on a black background. Well, the colors are chosen with taste.

young imperial angel

Young angelfish are often colored in a drastically different way than adults. The difference in coloration is so great that juveniles were previously considered separate species.

adult imperial angel

And only when they inherit power and ascend the throne, will they allow themselves more luxurious robes: a mantle of 25 thin yellow-orange stripes, casually thrown over a bright purple camisole. Emperors do not welcome the crown, they prefer an emerald green comfortable cap.

Ritual coloring is applied to the “face”, indicating a high position: alternating yellow and blue circles and lines around the eyes.

Imperial angel in the ocean

Unfortunately, this spectacular color does not make the proper impression on people. Inhabitants of the Indian Islands Pacific Oceans emperors are not honored for their - unique beauty, but they catch ... to eat. Knowledgeable people they say that the taste of the meat of these fish is superior to anything in the world. Well, all the more reason to take them under protection.

In addition, the emperor angel is a very popular species in the marine aquarium hobby, so it is often wild caught and exported to the international market, which leads to a decrease in its populations, which already have a low density.

In addition to their bright colors, angelfish are distinguished by their flat body and high back. Characteristic of this family is a powerful, backward-pointing spike, which is located on the underside of the gills and differs in color from the rest of the body.

Lyre-tailed Lamarck's Angel (Genicanthus lamarcki)

Angelfish have very diverse feeding strategies. Some of them are omnivorous and their food is a wide palette from algae to small animals. Others feed only on sponges and algae.

Representatives of the genus Apolemichthys feed exclusively on sponges, lyre-tailed angelfish (Genicanthus) on zooplankton, and pygmy angelfish (Centropyge) on algae.

Here are a few more bright views angel fish:

Two-color centropig (Centropyge bicolor). It feeds on plankton, worms, small benthic invertebrates and algae.

Blue Moorish Angel
(Centropyge debelius). One of the least known species of dwarf
angelfish: occasionally only a small number
caught off the island of Mauritius.

Noticeable hetodontople (Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus).

Green isabelita or green kachama (Holacanthus ciliaris) or Queen Angel

Emerald Angel (Pomacanthus)
chrysurus). It lives on reefs at depths from 1 to 25 meters in
in the western part indian ocean, including Comoros and Seychelles
islands and Madagascar.

In the sea there are not only angels, but also devils, which, with their appearance and customs, fully justify the name given to them. It's about the ugly-looking anglerfish, which filled the waters from top to bottom and spread in breadth: we also have them, in the north in the Barents Sea and in the south, in the Black Sea.

This big fish most body is occupied by a head with an ugly large mouth, poked with long and sharp teeth. On the head fishing rod, and at the end of it is something like a bait. The rod moves from side to side, the bait "dances".

The expectation that some fish wants to take a better look, that it wriggles and spins there, and it will fall right into the toothy mouth of the angler

European anglerfish or European
monkfish (Lophius piscatorius). Body length - up to 2 meters, more often 1-1.5
meters. Maximum body weight 57.7 kg. On both sides of the head
the edge of the jaw and lips hang fringed shreds of skin, moving in the water,
like algae, which makes it hardly noticeable on the ground

The monkfish does not even have to swim, it lies at the bottom and waits for prey. Add to this bare skin with dangling disgusting fringe, and you get a complete portrait of an anglerfish.

And the devil doesn't care where to hide. He can settle down at a depth of fifty and two hundred meters. Or it can descend to the “lowest” floors of the ocean, where it is constantly dark and full of prey. Only there the bait should shine otherwise the fish may not notice it. When the devil satisfies his hunger, he will turn off the "light bulb": for now he does not need it.

The anglerfish order is divided into 3 suborders with 18 families, about 66 genera and over 323 species. Some anglers have a particularly creepy appearance.

Fishing rods for devils are different. There are long ones - four times longer than the angler itself. The hunter gradually pulls it towards him, the “prey” gradually swims closer and closer, and there is no longer any fishing rod, only a wide-open mouth.

Devils have strange habits. "Udyat" fish, for example, only females. And the males - small and big-eyed - are looking for their chosen one for a long time and stubbornly. Find it by smell. And when they find it, they sink their teeth into her and forever remain parasites, sucking all the juices from the “wife”.

Tahitian Warty Clownfish
(Antennarius striatus) from the clownfish family of the anglerfish order.
The length of the fish is 18-22 cm. The tip of the rod (the process of the front beam
dorsal fin, or esca) has from 2 to 7 vermiform processes for
luring prey.

The "husband" soon die jaws, intestines and even eyes. And why should he need them, because now he is not an independent fish, but part of his wife's body. And she has to “fish” in order to feed herself and her annoying betrothed.

With the kids, the devil does the same without much love. She spawns, and she slowly floats to the surface of the water, where she becomes an easy prey for anyone. Mother does not care: the strongest will survive, the one who is worthy of the title of a real monkfish.

However, there are quite a lot of eggs, from the remaining ones, small imp larvae still hatch. They eat everything, get fat, grow, acquire their own fishing rods, and only then they begin to descend into the pitch-black abyss in order to lay down on the bottom, start treacherous fishing with bait, fill their bellies tighter and spawn more of the same greedy imps.

Ceratium-like or deep sea anglers (Ceratioidea) live in the water column on great depths World Ocean, at a depth of 1500-3000 m.

Panama Photocoryne (Photocorynus
spiniceps). A female and a tiny male attached to her back. While
as females reach a length of 5 to 6.9 cm, dwarf males reach
length from 6 to 9 mm.

Like other deep-sea anglers, the Panamanian photocoryne attracts prey with the help of bioluminescence. Mature females patiently waiting motionless on seabed until potential prey is attracted by the glowing lure.

Others are often the prey deep sea fish. Thanks to the movable jaw, the prey is swallowed whole. The stomach of females is able to stretch, due to which they are able to swallow prey that exceeds them in size.

Batfish (Ogcocephalidae) - a family of ray-finned fish from the order anglerfish. Widespread except for mediterranean sea. They live in subtropical and tropical seas, at the bottom, more often at a depth of up to 100 m.

Darwin's bat (Ogcocephalus darwini) lives off the coast Galapagos Islands at a depth of 30 meters or more. characteristic feature fish are bright red lips. Darwin's bat swims poorly using his adapted pectoral fins to walk on the ocean floor

Anglerfish from the long-probe family (Gigantactinidae)

Anglerfish from the Chaunacidae family

Anglerfish from the Ceratiaceae family
(Ceratiidae). These fish have very small eyes, which have probably lost their
function. Mouth looks almost vertical

A wonderful decoration for a large home aquarium can become a beautiful and elegant angel fish. With attractive and varied colors with neon colors typical of tropical fish, it is a favorite of all aquarists. In addition, these fish are quite unpretentious in their care, so even a novice lover of aquatic life can cope with their maintenance.

Habitat

Angel fish got into home aquariums from warm tropical seas. In their natural environment, they settle among bright coral reefs at various depths. Some subspecies are found even at a depth of about 60 meters. Angel fish live in the waters of three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian, and in all the seas of the tropical and subtropical climatic zones.

Despite the fact that the angel fish belongs to the perch family, which are overwhelmingly predatory, this fish prefers a varied diet. They feed mainly on zooplankton, algae, sponges, and small invertebrates. In fact, these angel fish are omnivores. They differ quite strongly in size, their average length is 10-20 cm, but some species can grow up to 60 cm.

An angel fish acquires its bright and extraordinary color upon reaching certain size. Babies have a uniform and fairly nondescript color, which contributes to greater survival of fish in natural conditions. The color change is very fast. In almost a few weeks, a nondescript fish turns into a magnificent beauty in a bright, extraordinary outfit. Despite living in coral reefs, angel fish form fairly large groups, by nature they are loners. Groups exist only to designate and protect their range, within which the fish form pairs. Stronger males may have a small harem of 1-3 females, which they carefully protect.

It was the diversity and splendor of the natural coloring of the angel fish that attracted the attention of aquarists around the world to it. Watching them in their natural environment is a fascinating and beautiful adventure.

Varieties of angel fish

There are enough varieties of angel fish, or as they are also called, pomacanth fish
many - the family consists of 7 genera and approximately 90 species:

1. Apolemichty
2. Hetodontoples
3. Centropigi
4. Lyrebirds
5. Isabelle
6. Pomacanty
7. Pygoplates

The most diverse species composition- these are small-sized centropigi, which reach a maximum of 18-20 cm in size. But some types of pomacanths grow in adulthood by 45 and even 60 cm in length. And in a room aquarium they will be cramped.

Conditions for keeping in an aquarium

As already mentioned, the angel fish is unpretentious and may well coexist with almost any type of aquarium fish. When creating conditions conducive to reproduction, she touchingly shows concern for offspring and has a certain intelligence. If there is a sufficient amount of food, then adults quite peacefully coexist with young animals, which greatly simplifies the maintenance and breeding of these fish in an aquarium.

Since fish come from warm tropical seas, the constant water temperature in around 25-28C is vital for them important indicator. In addition, water should have a Ph in the range of 8.1-8.4. Natural inhabitants of coral reefs, they are very fond of hiding in stones and eating algae from them. Therefore, if you want the fish to feel comfortable, be sure to take care of it. These amazing fish live long enough. At good conditions content and a well-designed feeding ration, they can delight with their beauty up to 10-15 years. And although acclimatization in a new aquarium takes some time, but after adaptation, the fish feels absolutely comfortable and even makes contact.

Feeding

Angel fish is a rather voracious creature, but omnivorous. Therefore, on the one hand, it is easy to feed it, since the fish does not refuse any food. And on the other hand, in unnatural conditions, she needs to provide a varied diet, which will include algae, sponges and small invertebrates. Only then will the fish keep its bright color and will feel comfortable.

In specialized stores, you can often find ready-made food designed for this type of fish. Buying such food is an ideal option, since it is balanced and contains all the necessary components. If you decide to make a diet yourself, then be sure to include crushed sponges and spirulina in the menu.

You need to feed the fish 2-3 times a day, giving as much food as the inhabitants of the aquarium can eat at a time. You can also include chopped meat of frozen mussels, shrimp, squid and even add a little spinach to the home menu.

When feeding, pay attention to whether younger individuals and neighbors of the angels in the aquarium get food. Voracious fish often try to eat more food on their own, and other individuals may be left without food. In a cramped aquarium, they may not let smaller fish into the feed at all.

Behavioral features

Under natural conditions, when the fish have a large territory at their disposal, male aggression towards each other manifests itself exclusively during the period of active reproduction, when pairs and mini-harems are being formed. The rest of the time, individuals of the same sex are quite neutral towards each other.

Everything happens a little differently in the limited space of the aquarium. First of all, I would like to note that the earlier the fish enters the aquarium, the more aggressively it will defend its rights to the territory. Some Pomacants are even capable of making rather loud clicking sounds, trying to scare off rivals.

Moreover, it is pomacanths that are the most aggressive among angelfish and it often happens that only one individual of this species can be in an aquarium. For each adult angelfish, there must be at least 200 liters of water. So before you opt for these definitely beautiful fish, think about whether they have enough space for a comfortable living.

Popular species for keeping in aquariums

For those who first want to populate the mysterious angel fish in their aquarium, the following is small list the most unpretentious species in terms of maintenance:

These are just a few of dozens various kinds angel fish. Each of them is unique and good in its own way, and if you responsibly choose a new inhabitant of the aquarium and take into account all the necessary conditions, then it will delight you for a long time with its bright color and unique grace.