Bellus Angelfish

The Bellus Angelfish is a striking member of the Genicanthus genus, renowned for being one of the few truly reef-safe large angelfish. This species exhibits remarkable sexual dimorphism, with males displaying bold blue and orange horizontal stripes along a white body, while females show a more subdued pattern of pale lavender-white with dark dorsal and anal fin accents. This dramatic difference between sexes makes the Bellus Angelfish a fascinating species to observe and a popular choice for reef aquarists who want the beauty of a large angel without the risk to corals.

In the wild, Bellus Angelfish inhabit deep reef slopes and outer reef walls, typically found at depths of 60 to 300 feet. They form small harems consisting of one dominant male and several females. Like all Genicanthus species, they are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning all individuals begin life as females with the dominant female transitioning to male when the existing male is lost.

The Bellus Angelfish is an excellent choice for reef aquariums as it feeds exclusively on zooplankton in the water column rather than grazing on sessile invertebrates. With a maximum size of around 7 inches, it requires a minimum tank of 100 gallons with moderate to strong water flow and plenty of open swimming space. It is peaceful toward tankmates and can be kept in male-female pairs or small groups in sufficiently large systems.