Asfur Angel

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 16"
• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-79° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Red Sea, Indo-Pacific
• Family: Pomacanthidae   • Species: Angels (Large)   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Asfur Angelfish is also called the Arabian Angelfish, or Crescent Angelfish. Originating in the Red Sea, but also found in the Indo-Pacific. Being hermaphroditic, the Asfur Angelfish is indistinguishable from male to female and very difficult to breed in an aquarium setting. The Asfur has a good temperament towards other species (can be very aggressive towards its own kind, unless in a matched pair), but obtains a large size, so must only be kept in a suitably large aquarium.

Being from the Red Sea the Asfur can handle higher salinity levels up to 1.025 without any adverse effects. In the wild the Asfur is commonly found around semi-protected inshore reefs with rich soft and hard coral growth, it can occasionally be found in patches of silt bottom areas.

The Asfur has a dark blue & purple body, black face, yellow tail, and a predominant yellow crescent bisecting the body vertically. Often confused with Pomocanthus maculosus, the Asfur Angelfish has a bright yellow tail. As with some other Pomacanthus, the coloration of the juvenile differs markedly from the adult.

A shy fish that does best when not kept with other Asfurs due to territorial behavior, the Asfur Angel requires a minimum of a 100 gallon tank with numerous hiding places and live rock for grazing. The Asfur Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles, but may be kept with small polyped stony corals and somewhat noxious soft corals.

Like most Angels the Asfur is territorial to other Angels of the same size, but will do well with most other species. Keep in mind that at a max size of about 16 inches, the Asfur should not be kept with extremely small or very sensitive species. Overall the Asfur has a very good temperament and can be easily kept in most FOWLR, reef and predatory aquariums.

In a restricted reef environment, the Asfur requires a diet of vegetables, meats, and angelfish preparations containing spongiform products. Once settled into the aquarium environment the Asfur is a ready feeder. Specimens do best when introduced to aquarium life at a young age. Can be destructive to sponges and some corals. Proper foods include: meaty foods such as clam, shrimp, brine, vegetable/algae blends and angel formulas containing sponge matter.