Apolemichthys griffisi

Carlson & Taylor, 1981

Griffi's Angelfish

Range: Pacific Ocean: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Caroline Islands, and east to the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Islands.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits outer coral reefs, rocky ledges and steep drop-offs between 35 to 330 feet (10 – 100 m) and has a natural diet of sponges, tunicates, and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: This beautiful angelfish, which is not seen very often in the hobby, has a somewhat greyish white body with a black band from the head to the lower side of the caudal peduncle and a contrasting white band within it. There’s also a somewhat large black dot on the head over the eye, and its dorsal is partly black while the anal and pelvic fins are white.

When first introduced into the aquarium, preferably a well-established fish-only aquarium with lots of live rock and cave areas, it should be offered several daily feedings so as to quickly acclimate to its surroundings. As to diet, a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations should be offered once or twice daily once acclimated. Some frozen or flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should also be offered, as algae, especially Spirulina is a healthy addition to all that consume it, as will this species in captivity.

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.

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.

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: 150 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C).

Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5