All fish / Pomacanthidae

Queensland Yellowtail Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus meredithi

Also known as meredith's angelfish, yellowtail angelfish, queensland angelfish, meridithi angelfish, meredithi angelfish, blue line angelfish, メレディシィ, メレディスエンゼル, 澳洲黄尾神仙

A large angelfish with a dark body covered in fine blue lines, a bright yellow tail and a yellow band behind the head, with pale blue edging on the fins. Keepers prize it for its striking colours and its fairly hardy nature compared with many large angelfish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

Keep singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Omnivore: sponge-based foods, spirulina, nori, mysis and quality angelfish pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern and western Australia, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia

Breeding

It is a pelagic spawner that releases eggs into open water at dusk, and the sexes are dimorphic in pattern. Captive breeding is very rare and not practical in home aquaria.

Good to know

Not reef safe, as it will nip corals, clams and sessile invertebrates, and it can be aggressive towards other angelfish. Supplies are limited because collection comes mainly from Australia, so it is expensive.