Apolemichthys arcuatus

(Gray, 1831)

Black Bandit Angelfish, Black-banded Angelfish, Three Spine Angelfish, Hawaiian Pearlyscale Angelfish

Range: Eastern Central Pacific Ocean: Hawaiian Archipelago and Johnston Atoll.

Size: 7 inches (17 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky ledges and caves on both reef faces and reef slopes and is usually found at depths between 35 – 600 feet (10 – 180 m). This deeper water species has a natural diet of sponges, tunicates, and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: This beautiful angelfish, which is not often seen in the hobby, has a body that is overall a pale white with a broad black band that goes from the area just above the mouth to the rear of the dorsal fin and is edged on its upper side with a pearly white band. A similar black band with a pearly white border runs submarginal on the caudal and anal fins.

When first introduced into the aquarium, preferably a well-established moderately lit (this is a deep water species) fish-only aquarium with lots of rocky and cave areas, it should be offered several daily feedings so as to quickly acclimate to its surroundings. As to diet, juveniles tend to feed somewhat on algae, whereas adults are more prone to mostly consuming sponges, tunicates, and various crustaceans. Therefore, a diet consisting of a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations should be offered at least once daily when fully acclimated. Keep in mind most collected specimens are often still in the juvenile stage, therefore, frozen or flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should also be offered.

Depending upon its tankmates, it can be quite shy when first entering the aquarium, and may hide in caves and crevices. But as time passes, will become more outgoing and begin to establish its territory, yet those in this genus fish are almost always very good tankmates and considered one of the least aggressive in the family.

When available, this deep water fish can makes a great addition to a moderately lighted fish-only aquarium containing lots of rocky hiding places.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Pomacanthidae

Genus: Apolemichthys

FYI: Keeping more than one genus of angelfishes in the same aquarium is possible, yet depends upon several aspects. The following suggested circumstances are just that, possibilities that when heeded and adjusted to actual aquarium conditions ‘may’ make multiple angelfish collections feasible.

Aquarium size – the larger the better.

Other species from the same genus should not be in the same aquarium.

The smallest and most docile genus species should be the first introduced with the largest and most malicious the last to be added.

Do not place similar coloration species in the same aquarium.

Those already in the aquarium should be well fed before adding a newcomer.

Have sufficient hiding places/rocky caves.

Keep in mind all angels have cheekspines at the edge of their gill cover; therefore use caution when handling and also avoid using a net to capture it, as it may become stuck or tangled in the net and become damaged when removed.

Synonyms - Desmoholacanthus arcuatus, Holacanthus arcuatus

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Reef Safe: No - will nip clam mantles, large and small polyped stony (LPS/SPS) corals and some soft corals.

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 78°F (22 – 26°C).

Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5