All fish / Pomacanthidae

Griffis Angelfish

Apolemichthys griffisi

Also known as griffis angel, griffis's angelfish, griffis' angelfish, griffis angel fish, グリフィスエンゼル, 格氏阿波鱼

A pale greyish white angelfish with a black band running along the back of the dorsal fin, a dark edge on the tail and a small yellow area on the fins. It lives on deep outer reef slopes and is rarely exported, so it is mostly kept by collectors who want an unusual, fairly calm large angelfish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Omnivore: sponge-based angelfish foods, spirulina, mysis, chopped seafood and marine algae

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Central and western Pacific: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and nearby islands

Breeding

It scatters pelagic eggs in pairs at dusk in the wild. Captive breeding has not been reported for home aquariums.

Good to know

Grows to around 25 cm in total length and needs a large tank with plenty of swimming space. It is not reef safe, as it will pick at sponges, soft corals and clam mantles.