A specific quality about the Swallowtail Angelfish is that this species will generally leave coral alone, making them perfect for reef aquariums.
This type of angelfish can grow up to 7 inches long.
They prefer a lot of space for swimming. Therefore you will require a huge tank, a minimum of 125 gallons, to provide them with a comfortable housing facility.
Swallowtail Angelfish Facts
| Family | Pomacanthidae |
| Origin | Australia, Western Indo-Pacific |
| Social | Peaceful |
| Tank Level | All areas |
| Tank Size (Minimum) | 125 gallon |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Breeding | Egg scatterer |
| Care | Moderate |
| pH Level | 8.1 to 8.4 |
| Water Hardness | 8 to 12 dGH |
| Water Temperature | 72 to 78 F |
Swallowtail Angelfish Species Overview
NAME: Genicanthus melanospilos
COMMON NAMES: spot breast angelfish, zebra angelfish, Black-spot angelfish, blackspot lyretail, and Japanese swallowtail angelfish
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 15 years
ADULT SIZE: 7 inches
Origin of Swallowtail Angelfish
This creature is found around Vanuatu, Fiji, and Indonesia. They inhabit moderate to deep water environments on steep slopes. Usually, a single Swallowtail male is seen with various females.
Markings and Colors
Male swallowtail angelfish have black spots located on the breast, so they are also termed blackspot angelfish. The female fish is light blue ventrally and yellow dorsally.
The color of their caudal fin is marine blue which is highlighted by a blue-black, dark edging on the bottom and top. The male Swallowtail Angelfish is marked with a number of vertical red stripes. This covers the completely pale-colored body. The tail of the male fish is yellow with blue edges and forked.
Apart from the crescent-shaped caudal fin of this creature, there are various other notable features found throughout this fish species.
Their mouths are small. It is lined with 3 or 4 small bristle-like teeth rows, often with some tips which have three points. If you compare their teeth with the rest of the members of the Pomacanthidae family, it’s relatively shorter.
Obviously, it is a result of the species’ feeding tactics of removing algae from the encrusting rubble versus picking prey out of the water column.
Tankmates of Swallowtail Angelfish
Matching swallowtail angelfish with their potential tank mates is a space that needs more effort and concern than does their food. As this creature is of a very peaceful nature, they won’t attack the vast majority of their tank mates. Swallowtails may get harassed by other planktivores or chase after peaceful and small planktivores.
You shouldn’t mix swallowtail angelfish with other fish which are extremely aggressive, because chances are they will be dominated by larger aggressors.
Most surgeonfish, triggerfish, and large angelfish are examples of such aggressive fish. Likewise, before introducing any additional planktivores thought should be given, such as Swallowtails, with the Anthias species.
From its species, males will fight with the males, or those types of fish that have exact coloration, and other Genicanthus genus males. It would be great to keep this species alone in your tank, as a mated pair, or in a larger tank, you can keep a small group of female swallowtails with a single male.
Usually, other fish breeds including non-related angelfish are ignored by them. Their possible tank mates are eels, blennies, clownfish, gobies, small lionfish, butterflyfish, and Chromis.
Habitat and Care
The swallowtail angelfish is treated as a difficult shipper in the trade of aquariums.
But, somehow if you manage to get a healthy swallowtail specimen, it settles into aquarium life rather easily and quickly. Because of their constant roaming nature and size, the suggested minimum tank size for this fish breed is at least 125 gallons.
Sufficient hiding places and live rocks for grazing should be offered to this species. Such kind of angelfish makes a nice reef dweller who will not nip at soft and stony corals (sessile invertebrates).
During the day, areas of strong water movement in the aquarium should be provided. Use water pumps on timers which can be automatically turned off after 10 to 12 hours. Lids are most important because swallowtail angelfish may attempt to jump out of open tanks. Perfectly oxygenated aquarium water is optimal.
Diet
An angelfish often dines on filamentous algae and diatoms in aquariums.
Swallowtail angelfish should be fed a different diet of marine algae-based foods and meaty fares, such as finely chopped frozen silversides and fresh shrimp, dried seaweed (nori), frozen brine and Mysis shrimp, angelfish preparations, enriched pellets, or flakes containing spirulina.
From the surface of the water, they will gulp food, which makes them swallow air simultaneously.
For the fish, it is usual to become bloated, which results in the Swallowtails appearing to be struggling at times swimming head down, however, you need not worry.
By expelling bubbles from its anus and mouth the fish gets rid of this kind of trapped air (meaning it farts and burps).
Gender Differences
Because of their physical differences in appearance, these angelfishes can be identified easily by sex as female or male.
The males of this species have a considerably unmatched pattern or coloration than females. The male fish is marked with dark, thin, vertical bands which cover its body from the head to where the anal and dorsal fins end.
At the base of the tail, it is followed by a yellow-banded area, and therefore it is called a zebra angelfish.
This creature is also known as a protogynous hermaphrodite. This means this angelfish will adopt the male coloration. After first living as a functional female for a certain period of time they will become male-only.
Most often, when the opportunity arises, the dominant female of the local group will become male if there is a lack of a dominant male presence.
To complete the process of changing sex, swallowtail angelfish reportedly take up to 30 days.
Breeding
With different fin gestures or movements, the males entice females to mate.
The males of swallowtail angelfish directly position themselves in front of the female and quiver or tremble their caudal fin or roll onto their back or sides in front of the female fish.
The male angelfish continues the ritual of mating if the male is successful in its initial attempts.
The entire body of the male fish will quiver or vibrate excitedly when positioned alongside the female swallowtail angelfish.
As an encouraging sign, the female fish will extend all of her fins.
After spending a few moments of the male swallowtail nuzzling its head adjacent to the back of the female fish, the fish couple separated by just two to three inches rolled onto their sides and released their sperm and eggs.
More Pet Fish Species and Additional Research
If you are interested in some other compatible fish along with swallowtail angelfish for your aquarium, read up on:
Check out other fish species profiles for additional information on different saltwater fish.
FAQs
What is the Size of a Swallowtail Angelfish?
Around seven inches when it reaches full size. The size of the swallowtail angel is actually smaller than an average angelfish. However, due to its intensity, it needs a little more space to swim in. So, an aquarium capacity of 125 gallons or greater is suggested (some advocate for a bigger tank).
What do Swallowtail Angelfish Eat?
A diet for the Masked Swallowtail Angelfish must consist of proteins and a supplement of algae, in the form of premium angelfish preparations, mysis-enriched shrimp, as well as enriched brine shrimp.
Can Swallowtail Angelfish Change Gender?
The majority of them begin as males and later change to females or in reverse. They are also referred to as sequential hermaphrodites. A majority of these species reproduce completely female. They typically reside in groups in which only the largest, strongest male is a member and protects his harem, which is made up of several females.
Are Swallowtail Angelfish Reef Safe?
The stunning Japanese shark is considered to be one of the few aquarium-safe angelfish since it doesn’t bother the corals or any other marine invertebrates. This is classified as a mid-water column fish, which means it is wild in that, it does not reside close to the reef, nor on the surface.
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