Care
The Sixbar Angelfish is an elusive species known from lagoons and the high vertical slopes at the edges of coral-rich seaward reefs, to depths of 60m (197ft). These fish are often observed in pairs, and are notorious for making audible grunting sounds when divers approach. The Sixbar 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. Sixbar Angelfish feed on many sessile invertebrates in the wild, including sponges, stony corals, and tunicates, so it is not a safe species for every set up; however, it can usually be kept successfully alongside some of the more noxious soft corals. We recommend that the Sixbar 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 white upright but slightly curving stripes on the flanks, originating just in front of the caudal peduncle. The white stripes change to cyan/blue as they meet the dorsal and anal fins, and the two stripes on the head area are blue. Adult fish have a creamy beige body with five dark vertical stripes; a bright white vertical stripe just behind the eye, makes stripe number six. Dark blue dots pepper the entire body, with bright blue spots covering the caudal and posterior portion of the anal fin. 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 Sixbanded 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.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium
