Japanese Swallowtail Angelfish (Female)

About this fish

Japanese Swallowtail Angelfish (Female) is a marine angelfish for the home saltwater aquarium, marketed as Genicanthus melanospilos. It’s prized for its striking swallowtail-style body shape and bold patterning, which can change as angelfish grow. In practice, it’s a display fish that adds movement and color to well-established tanks—especially those with live rock for natural grazing and for providing stable cover.

Features:

• Marine angelfish best suited to an established saltwater aquarium with plenty of live rock
• Typically an active swimmer; provide enough open space alongside rockwork for retreat
• Often benefits from a varied diet, including quality frozen foods and sponge-based formulas
• May pick at some invertebrates and is known in the hobby to sometimes nip corals or clam mantles, so use reef compatibility research before adding
• Generally more successful when not housed with other similar angelfish unless the tank is large and carefully planned
• Quieter placement and slow acclimation can help new arrivals settle in more smoothly

Specifications:

• Care level (general): Intermediate
• Aquarium type: Marine / saltwater
• Temperament (general): Active; may be territorial toward some tankmates
• Placement: Near live rock and mid-to-lower swimming areas with nearby cover
• Diet: Varied diet of quality frozen foods, sponge-based formulas, and algae
• Feeding frequency (general): Several times per day
• Water temperature (general): About 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity (general): About 1.020–1.026 specific gravity
• Gender: Female