Majestic Angelfish

Majestic angelfish are called blue-girdled angelfish because of the bright blue that circles their body making them one of the most beautiful creatures in the sea.

These brilliant species live in areas with lots of coral coverage, from lagoons to outer reefs in the Indo-Pacific.

In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about caring for majestic angelfish, including their proper diet, tank setup, and more!

Characteristics

Majestic Angelfish Origins

The majestic angelfish is a stunning Indo-Pacific marine angelfish that live in Indonesia, the Philippines, northern and eastern Australia, and Micronesia.

They prefer habitats that are covered in coral, from lagoons to outer reefs where they may discover plenty of food and refuge.

Juvenile majestic angelfish prefer to stay near the coast, while adults may be seen up to 120 feet underwater.

Majestic Angelfish Behavior

Majestic Angels have been seen in small groups or alone over lagoons and waterways throughout their range.

However, they are not as loud or engaging as the French angelfish, and when humans appear, they prefer to quickly dart into the safety of coral caves or other hiding spots.

What Are Majestic Angelfish Features?

a.Colors

1. Juveniles

Juvenile majestic angels are familiar on coral reefs, but they don’t appear in fish shops very often.

They have dark scales (standard in the Pomacanthus genus) with light blue, vertical stripes.

2. Adults

Adult Majestic angels have bright yellow patches that contrast with the blue “belt” that slides over their faces and down the back of their bodies.

In addition, the ring around the eyes is outlined in neon blue and is a bit lighter around the fins.

Furthermore, there is a girdle that joins the two halves of their body and gives these fish their alternative name “blue-gilled angelfish”.

b.Size

The Majestic Angelfish is a tiny saltwater fish that grows to be around 10 inches long as an adult.

c.Lifespan

In the wild, majestic angels can live up to 21 years. However, you will not see such a long lifespan in captivity unless the aquarium conditions are nearly perfect and they are well cared for.

Majestic Angelfish Availability

The Majestic Angelfish is a difficult fish to find at your local fish store since this species is somewhat costly, ranging from $100.00 to $295.00.

How to Care for Majestic Angelfish?

a.Water Requirements

1. Water Quality

Like other angelfish species, majestic angels are very sensitive to water quality and need pristine conditions to stay healthy.

To maintain high water quality in your aquarium, you will need to do weekly water changes of 10% and monthly water changes of 20%.

Also, in order to maintain the contaminants as low as feasible, we recommend utilizing an aquarium filter such as canister filters and protein skimmers.

2. Water Temperature

Majestic angels require water temperature similar to that of their natural habitat. The ideal temperature for these fish is between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

To keep the water temperature at the optimal level, you can use an aquarium heater. Also, to avoid fluctuations in temperature, you can use an aquarium thermostat.

3. PH Level

Majestic Angelfish prefer slightly alkaline waters that imitate their natural habitat. The ideal pH level for these fish is between 8.1 and 8.4.

It is essential to test the pH level of your aquarium on a regular basis, so to ensure that the pH level does not fluctuate, we recommend using a pH controller.

4. Water Salinity

These angels come from salty waters, so the salinity level in your aquarium should be between 1.023 and 1.025.

b.Tank Requirements

1. Tank Size

Although they are one of the smallest angelfish species, a single majestic angelfish need an aquarium of at least 90 gallons. For a pair, you should provide a 135-gallon or larger aquarium.

2. Tank Decoration

Majestic angelfish would appreciate an aquarium with plenty of live rocks and corals since they love to graze on algae.

In addition, make sure to provide plenty of hiding spots for your fish, as they like to feel secure. We recommend using coral caves, overhangs, or pieces of driftwood for this purpose.

3. Lighting

These fish need bright light to feel comfortable since they come from the reefs, where the sun is always shining.

Therefore, you should place your aquarium in an area with plenty of sunshine or utilize full-spectrum lighting designed for saltwater tanks.

Majestic Angelfish Diet

The Majestic Angelfish is an omnivore, which means it consumes both meat and plant material. In the wild, they consume algae, sponges, tiny fish, and invertebrates.

In captivity, you should provide them with a varied diet that includes both meaty and vegetable matter, such as:

• Frozen or live brine shrimp
• Beef heart
• High-quality flake food
• Seaweed
• Chopped clams
• Krill
• Macroalgae
• Mysis shrimp
• Romaine lettuce
• Spinach
• Spirulina
• Zucchini

Majestic Angelfish Breeding

Majestic angelfish can be bred easily in captivity since they do not have any specific breeding requirements.

However, you should be sure you have a male and female angelfish fish since mixing two male majestics in the same tank can cause injuries and even death from fighting.

Once you find your pair, place them in a breeding tank with plenty of live rocks and corals. They will usually start breeding within a few days or weeks.

The female will lay the eggs on a flat surface, and the male will fertilize them. After that, the parents should be removed from the breeding tank since they might consume the eggs.

Majestic Angelfish Compatibility

Majestic angelfish are very peaceful fish that can be kept with many other reef fish, they won’t cause any problems.

Although they are the least violent of all angelfish species, you should not keep them with their own kind because they can get very aggressive against other angelfish, particularly other majestics.

Some of the most compatible tank mates for majestics include:

• Clownfish
• Tangs
• Triggerfish
• Wrasses

Is Majestic Angelfish Reef Safe?

Majestic Angelfish is not recommended for reef tanks since they nip or eat coral. Also, some have been documented to devour softies and LPS corals.

Pros & Cons of Having Majestic Angelfish

Pros

• Their peaceful and quiet behavior makes them ideal for inclusion in most marine aquariums
• They are hardy fish that are easy to care for
• It is possible to breed majestics in captivity as long as you can acquire a male and female pair and the tank is large enough

Cons

• Majestic angelfish are not considered reef-safe
• A single fish require an aquarium that is at least 90 gallons

FAQs

Are Majestic Angelfish Easy to Care for?

They are one of the easiest species of angelfish to care for and are recommended for beginner aquarists.

Do Majestic Angelfish Eat Coral?

Some have been documented to nip or eat coral, making them not reef-safe fish.

What Size Aquarium Do Majestic Angelfish Need?

A single majestic angelfish need an aquarium of at least 90 gallons, but a 135 gallon or larger aquarium is preferred.

Do Majestic Angelfish Get Along With Other Fish?

For the most part, majestics are peaceful fish that can get along with other reef fish. However, they are not recommended to be kept with their own kind since they can become aggressive towards each other.

What Do Majestic Angelfish Eat?

They are omnivores and in the wild, they consume algae, sponges, tiny fish, and invertebrates. In captivity, you should provide them with a varied diet that includes both meaty and vegetable matter.

Do Majestic Angelfish Have Any Specific Breeding Requirements?

They do not have any specific breeding requirements but you should make sure you have a male and female pair since two male majestics will fight each other.

Last Words

The Majestic Angelfish is a beautiful fish that can make a great addition to most marine aquariums. They are relatively easy to care for and can even be bred in captivity.

However, they are not reef-safe and require a large tank, so make sure you can provide them with the proper environment before adding one to your home aquarium.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!