Care
The Koran Angelfish is known from protected coastal reefs with heavy coral growth, at depths of 1-40m (3.3-131ft). Here these impressive, semi-aggressive fish are found singly or in male-female pairs, feeding primarily on tunicates, sponges, and algae. The Koran Angelfish is a large-growing, active species which requires a voluminous aquarium. This fish is territorial so provide plenty of live rockwork that has a multitude of visual barriers and bolt holes, as well as a roomy swimming space along the front of the tank. Keep only one specimen per tank, and not with any other angelfish. Tankmates should be equally large and belligerent - this species should never be kept with invertebrates or small, passive fish. The aquarium should be well filtered, as these fish are voracious eaters, and there should be areas of decent current and good levels of oxygenation. Koran Angelfish feed on many sessile invertebrates in the wild, including sponges, soft corals, stony corals, tunicates, and will also nip at tridacnid clam mantles, so it is not a safe species for the reef aquarium. We recommend that the Koran Angelfish is the last addition to an aquarium, as otherwise it can behave somewhat pugnaciously when introducing new tankmates into what it perceives as its established domain. Juvenile fish look very different to the adults: young fish are dark-blue/black with numerous thin white and light blue stripes over the body. At the head end, the stripes are quite straight, but they become increasingly more arced as they approach the caudal peduncle. Adult fish are a pale yellow-green colour (which becomes darker and more grey at the head and posterior ends), with blue bases on each of the scales, giving the fish a speckled appearance. All the fins, with the exception of the pectorals, are edged in blue, as are the eyes, cheeks, opercula, and spines. The anal and dorsal fins both develop long yellow-tipped streamers as the fish mature. It is important to offer a varied diet (see below) in order to retain the vivid colours and to avoid head and lateral line erosion (HLLE). May also be seen on sale as the Semicircle Angelfish.
Feeding
Should be offered a varied diet including Spirulina & marine algae as well as meaty fare. Mysis shrimp, vitamin/Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, special sponge-based Angelfish preparations, and finely chopped krill/squid/cockle/mussel, should all be taken eagerly. Feed small amounts 3 times per day. Will browse on most types of algae, even cyanobacteria.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
