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Blueface Angelfish
Angelfish

Blueface Angelfish

Pomacanthus xanthometopon

A large, heavyset angel patterned in yellow scale-mesh and blue with an unmistakable electric-blue face mask, morphing from a blue-and-white banded juvenile. It grows to a foot and becomes territorial once it is the biggest fish in the tank, so it needs a very large, mature system with caves and live rock, and should be added last. Reef-safe only with caution — it is prone to nipping stony and soft corals and clam mantles — and it can be touchy on arrival, so it suits advanced keepers with a big fish-only or FOWLR display.

Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Max size
15"
Min tank
220 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe with caution
Diet
Omnivore
Zone
Rockwork, Caves, Open water
Keep just one per tank — two will fight.
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Tankmates

How Blueface Angelfish gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Emperor AngelfishBlueface Angelfish and Emperor Angelfish are the same genus (Pomacanthus) and will fight — keep only one.Regal AngelfishBlueface (Pomacanthus) grows steadily more aggressive as it matures and will dominate the timid Regal (Pygoplites); risky outside very large, heavily-aquascaped systems.Queen AngelfishTwo large angels of different genera (Holacanthus vs Pomacanthus) will fight over the same grazing/territory niche; cross-genus is safer than same-genus but still needs 250–300+ gal and simultaneous introduction to work.Copperband ButterflyfishA maturing Blueface is a poor tankmate for the shy Copperband, which care guidance says should be kept away from aggressive angelfish or it may be bullied off its food.Zebra MorayZebra Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Blueface Angelfish.Majestic AngelfishBlueface Angelfish and Majestic Angelfish are the same genus (Pomacanthus) and will fight — keep only one.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Percula ClownfishBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Percula Clownfish and may harass it.Purple Queen AnthiasBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Purple Queen Anthias and may harass it.Banggai CardinalfishBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Banggai Cardinalfish and may harass it.Radiant WrasseBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Radiant Wrasse and may harass it.Pajama CardinalfishBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Pajama Cardinalfish and may harass it.Green ChromisBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Green Chromis and may harass it.Helfrich's FirefishBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Helfrich's Firefish and may harass it.Yasha GobyBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yasha Goby and may harass it.Tailspot BlennyBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Tailspot Blenny and may harass it.Kole TangBlueface Angelfish and Kole Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.McCosker's Flasher WrasseBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful McCosker's Flasher Wrasse and may harass it.Sixline WrasseBlueface Angelfish and Sixline Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Leopard WrasseBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Leopard Wrasse and may harass it.Lubbock's Fairy WrasseBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse and may harass it.Melanurus WrasseBlueface Angelfish and Melanurus Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yellow Coris WrasseBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yellow Coris Wrasse and may harass it.Red Head Solon Fairy WrasseBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse and may harass it.Cleaner WrasseBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Cleaner Wrasse and may harass it.Royal GrammaBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Royal Gramma and may harass it.Blackcap BassletBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Blackcap Basslet and may harass it.