Care
The Annularis Angelfish - also referred to as the Blue Ringed Angelfish - is known from current-swept coastal reefs at depths between 30-60m (98-197ft). Adult fish are often found in pairs inside caves, whereas juveniles live amongst very shallow inshore habitats that are rich with short filamentous algae growth. The Annularis Angelfish is large-growing, active species which requires a voluminous aquarium. It is also rather 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. If your angelfish isn't provided with adequate space, it will behave much more aggressively. Annularis Angelfish feed on many sessile invertebrates in the wild, including sponges, stony corals, soft corals, and tunicates, so it is not a reef safe species. We recommend that the Annularis 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. Having said this, it is not uncommon for this fish to behave quite shyly when first introduced to its new surroundings/tankmates, but given the right environment, it will quickly gain much confidence and venture out into the open water areas. Juvenile fish look very different to the adults: young fish are dark-blue/black with white and cyan vertical, slightly curved stripes, whereas adults are generally a golden brown colour (sometimes almost a dusky yellow) with the most striking sapphire blue up-curved markings. The alternative common name, Blue Ringed Angelfish, is derived from the bright blue ringed eyespot adult fish display above the gill cover. The fish pictured above is a sub-adult - the juvenile pattern has almost disappeared from its head with just a few traces of the thin vertical stripes.
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.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium. In the wild, a male fish will control a harem of females in a small area. When ready to spawn, eggs and milt are scattered into the water column at dusk, the resultant larvae drifting for around a month before developing into juveniles.
