Japanese Swallow Angel

Japanese Swallow Angel

Genicanthus semifasciatus

Identification A swallowtail angel with a lyre-shaped tail. Males show an orange-barred body with a yellow head; females are plainer with a dark upper head and back.
Maximum Length 8.3″
Origin Western Pacific (Japan, Taiwan, Philippines), deeper reefs
Minimum Tank Size 125 Gallon
Reef Compatibility Reef safe. One of the few truly reef-safe angels — a plankton feeder that ignores corals and invertebrates.

Behavior

Peaceful, active midwater swimmer. Genicanthus angels hover in the open water column picking plankton. Keep singly, as a male-female pair, or one male with several females. Hardy once established.

Diet & Feeding

Frequent small feedings of mysis, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood and prepared angel/plankton foods.

Cautions

A deepwater fish — acclimate slowly to light. Males may bully in cramped quarters.