Japanese Swallowtail Angelfish
Genicanthus semifasciatus
Suggested Tank
125+ gallons
Max Size
8.5 inches
Difficulty
Temperament
Description
A slender, deep-water swallowtail angelfish with lyre-shaped tail lobes; females are creamy white shading to yellow above with a dark bar over the eye and black tail margins, while males develop a bold black facial mask and orange-brown bars along the upper body. Peaceful and planktivorous, it hovers in open water and grazes the water column rather than picking at corals, making it one of the few reef-safe angelfish. Provide a large, well-established tank (125+ gallons) with strong flow, shaded overhangs and open swimming space; keep singly, as a pair, or one male with several females, but never two males or mixed Genicanthus of similar appearance.
Reef Safe
Yes
Environment
The Japanese Swallowtail Angelfish prefers a well-lit tank with plenty of hiding spots. It needs a lot of swimming space and should be provided with plenty of live rock for grazing. It is a good jumper, so a secure lid is necessary to prevent escapes.
Behavior
This species is known to be semi-aggressive. While it is generally peaceful towards other species, it can be territorial with its own kind. It's best to keep only one per tank unless the tank is large enough to accommodate multiple territories.
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Japanese Swallowtail Angelfish
Genicanthus semifasciatus
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