Bellus Angelfish

The Bellus Angelfish is one of the most beautiful marine aquarium fish.

Both males and females have distinct designs which make them stand out from other fish in the aquarium.

These beautiful angelfish types bring a lot of excitement to any aquarium due to their social nature. They love to interact with other fish and their owners.

This guide will go over everything you need to know about the Bellus Angelfish, from their appearance to their behavior.

Characteristics

Scientific Name	Genicanthus bellus
Family	Pomacanthidae
Species	ray-finned fish
Common Name	Ornate Angelfish
Care Level	Intermediate
Aquarist Experience Level	Expert
Size	Up to 7 inches
Lifespan	10 years
Temperature	Temperature 72°F – 76°F (22°C – 24°C)
pH	8.1 – 8.4
Water Hardness	8-12 dKH
Specific Gravity	SG 1.020 – 1.025
Origin	Eastern Indian Ocean at depths of 20 to 100 meters
Tank Setup	Saltwater with live rocks or corals
Minimum Tank Size	120 gallons
Tank Region	All over the aquarium.
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Compatibility	Peaceful fish of a similar size
Color	Sexually dimorphic
Diet	Omnivore

Bellus Angelfish Origin & Habitat

Genicanthus bellus, a species of marine fish from Polynesia, is found in the western Pacific Ocean and the eastern Indian Ocean.

It has been seen in the Pacific, including Tahiti, Guam, Palau, Tonga, the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, southern Japan, and Indonesia.

It also ranges from the Indian Ocean (Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island) to Holmes Reef in the Coral Sea and can be found on Christmas Island and the Cocos in Australian waters.

Although they range from Florida to Brazil, they are not commonly seen as north Carolina.

However, some dive boats may include them as a sightseeing attraction for divers.

These species prefer deep water, which may explain why it is so little known.

Although they can be found in many places, they are generally found at depths between 25 and 100 meters on the outer drop-offs, where strong currents sweep.

Juvenile and adult fish require live corals for food and shelter, so habitat devastation might also contribute to their extinction.

When corals get poisoned or subjected to ocean acidification, these species will go hungry or fall prey to predators.

Bellus Angelfish Behavior

Although the male forms will be aggressive towards other angelfish species, these species prefer to live in a species-specific group.

They enjoy interacting with others, and they don’t participate in many fights, still, it’s a good idea to maintain one male variant per aquarium for extra safety.

These species also are saltwater fish that are safe for coral reefs, they like dwelling close to the substrate and feed on the bottom’s debris.

Bellus Angelfish Features

1. Appearance

Even though they have a similar form to that of typical angelfish, their dorsal fin is tiny, and it can only reach the length of their body with a lyretail in the rear.

2. Color

The Genicanthus bellus is sexually dichromatic, with males and females having varying hues and patterns.

Females

The female form is also able to rapidly alternate colors. In general, they are bluish or greyish with wide black strips and a blue stripe on the lower flanks, which runs alongside it.

There are four black or brownish stripes.

The first black stripe, usually found only in females and youngsters, begins at the nape of the neck and travels down to the eyes.

The second stripe begins at the fish’s rear and runs to the fin base, with a right angle at the start of the dorsal fin, whereas the third stripe slopes diagonally downward.

The final stripe appears on the margin of the dorsal fin (higher lobe).

Males

The male version will be pale bluish or greyish with golden stripes on the fish’s body running horizontally.

The lower back and middle of the flank region are commonly streaked with these stripes.

The pectoral and dorsal fins in males are also blue, with glistening purple lips.

Furthermore, the caudal fins are a brilliant blue with no other pigment except for orange patches with filamentous extensions.

3. Length

Bellus Angelfish are most likely tiny compared to other angelfish species, measuring only around 7 inches long.

4. Lifespan

Bellus Angelfishes have a 10-year lifespan if properly cared for.

If proper care is taken and maintained, Bellus angelfish can live up to fifteen years in captivity.

Bellus Angelfish Cost

Size	Gender	Price
Small: over 1.5-2″	female	$299.99
Medium: over 2-3″	male	$349.99
Medium: over 2-3″	female	$299.99
Large: over 3-4.5″	male	$399.99
Large: over 3-4.5″	female	$299.99
X-Large: over 4-5″	male	$449.99
XX-Large: over 5″	male	$449.99
3″-5″	Pair	$799.99

How to Care for Bellus Angelfish?

1. Water Parameters

Water Changes

Maintaining the optimal condition for Bellus Angelfish requires you to keep your ideal surroundings, and this implies performing the weekly cleaning that all fish enjoy.

From our experience, conduct water changes of 15-20% every week, depending on your tank’s stocking levels and bio-load.

Water Temperature

Bellus Angelfish has tropical origins meaning they require warm water.

So, to help your fish feel at home, we recommend a water temperature of between 72- and 76-degrees Fahrenheit.

pH Range

Bellus Angelfish are picky about their water, and they prefer acidic environments. Therefore, we recommend maintaining a pH range of 8.1 to 8.4.

Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate

Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to marine fish and should be kept at 0 ppm.

Nitrate is less toxic, but it can lead to problems if it’s left to accumulate. Therefore, we recommend keeping your nitrate levels as low as possible (under 20 ppm).

Water Movement

Bellus Angelfish can swim against strong currents, but they do best when in regions where the wind is both powerful and gentle so that they may rest without water rushing over their gills all night and day.

Ensure you have sufficient swimming space for each fish and don’t keep them in pairs unless you have a massive tank with excellent water flow.

Specific gravity

The best salt concentration is 1.020-1.025, corresponding to a 14-15 ppt salinity level.

Water Hardness

Bellus Angelfishes like their water on the softer side, with a carbonate hardness of 8-12 dKH.

2. Tank Setup

Tank Size

These fish are active swimmers that require a lot of areas to swim around, so your aquarium should be at least 20 gallons per inch of fish.

A tank with a capacity of 120 gallons will aid in the prevention of territorial conflicts. However, a full-grown Bellus Angelfish would require a tank of 150 gallons or more.

Tank Lids

Bellus Angelfish is a very energetic swimmer, so a lid or hood prevents any misadventures from occurring due to falling out.

They also protect the aquarium against dust accumulation due to exposure to hazardous external elements in the air.

So, we recommend you get a lid or hood for your aquarium.

Lightning

It would help if you kept your Bellus Angelfish in a tank with dim light for the first few days.

Then, increase the strength gradually over days using LEDs with the correct balance of intensity is effective.

Substrate

Substrate encourages the Bellus Angelfish to bottom-feed and searche for food in the lower levels.

The classic fine-surfaced gravel or mud is an excellent substrate for these fish.

Filtration

A strong filter is ideal if you have a big tank since it eliminates a massive quantity of trash from their voracious feeding habits.

A filter also oxygenates the tank water, which is essential for these fish’s survival.

We recommend an external canister filter with a flow rate of at least 350 gallons per hour for a 120-gallon tank.

Cleaning Method

As we mentioned before, Bellus Angelfish generate a lot of waste, so it’s preferable to have the routine cleaning done more regularly.

Replace the water as needed, and clean out the filters and other aquarium attachments.

Also, clean the tank walls carefully with a soft cotton cloth to ensure that no residue remains after cleaning.

Ornaments & Flora

Bellus Lyretail Angelfish are reef safe,  so including some coral reefs in the aquarium would help to create a more naturalistic feel.

Plants can also provide shelter and hiding places for your fish.

Some good plants for a Bellus Angelfish aquarium are:

• Java Fern
• Anubias
• Bacopa
• Fauna

Hiding Places

Bellus Angelfish feel secure when they can hide away and rest in peace.

Caves, overhangs, and other nooks and crannies provide the ideal hiding place for these fish.

You can use live rocks to create these structures in your aquarium.

Is  Bellus Angelfish Hardy?

Yes, Bellus Angelfish is hardy; however, it’s only suitable for intermediate to advanced aquarists since it requires a large aquarium with lots of rockwork and caverns to give plenty of hiding places.

Bellus Angelfish Diet

In the wild, bellus angelfish consume plankton, and they eat tiny invertebrates and algae if they can get them.

Important diet choices:

•  Brine shrimp
•  Mysis shrimp
•  Bloodworms
• Live worms
• Shellfish
• Dried algae
• Prepared flake
• Pellet food offered
• Polychaetes
• Bryozoans
• Algal biomass
• Algal wafers
• Zucchini
• Spinach
• Spirulina flakes

Feeding Frequency

Feed your Bellus Angelfish 2 times per day in small quantities that they can finish within two to three minutes.

Also, avoid overfeeding since uneaten food can quickly foul the water and lead to health problems.

Bellus Angelfish compatibility

The Bellus Angelfish are primarily peaceful and may be kept with other similar species; however, they can become aggressive towards those that intrude their space.

Do not mix Bellus Angelfish with any other angelfish species; there is a danger of conflict in your aquarium.

Tankmates should be of comparable size and temperament, such as:

• Chromis
• Butterflyfish
• Blennies
• Clownfish
• angs
• Triggers
• Gobies
• Eels
• Small lionfish

Can You Keep Bellus Angelfish Together?

Bellus Angelfish are not social with their kind. This fact clarifies why you always need to prevent other species of Angelfish from being their tank mates.

Are Bellus Angelfish Reef Safe?

Bellus Angelfish are safe for reefs and may be kept with corals, Tridacna clams, and most invertebrates.

Other reef-safe invertebrates, such as sea stars and anemones, may also be excellent tankmates for these angels.

Angelfish Breeding

It isn’t easy to breed the unique Bellus Angelfish.

It might be a tremendous job in any aquarium, especially in private home aquariums.

Although large aquariums may help, the process is still tricky.

Even if the spawning occurs successfully, rearing the young afterward is far more challenging.

Introducing the Bellus Angelfish

By default, the new generation of adults is all females, with the dominant female being able to change sex.

As a result, the absence of a male variant isn’t that significant. Hermaphrodites are individuals who have both male and female sexual characteristics.

Spawning Preparations

The tank must be clean and kept in its ideal circumstances to induce spawning.

So, you should raise the tank temperature gradually to 76°F.

On-set of the Breeding Process

After the parent fish are introduced to the breeding tank, the female will start to lay eggs on a flat surface, then the male fertilizes the female eggs.

After this procedure is completed, the female scatters the fertilized lot throughout her territory.

Hatching

According to verified statistics, eggs hatch after 48-92 hours.

Even though the chances of this approach working are low, it’s still the only way to achieve Bellus Angelfish breeding in captivity.

Fry

After the eggs hatch, the fry are left to fend for themselves and start to hunt for food.

They’re too tiny to be fed with common foods at this stage, so you should use live foods, such as brine shrimp and micro worms.

As they grow bigger, you can start to feed them with larger foods.

Diseases

Although being a hardy fish, bellus angelfish are not immune to diseases.

The most common ones are:

Fish Tuberculosis

This is a contagious disease that is caused by Mycobacterium, a bacteria that attacks the fish’s immune system.

It may also be transmitted to people, therefore, keepers must be highly cautious when dealing with the sick.

Symptoms

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Excess mucus production
• Listlessness
• Gasping for air

Cotton Wool Disease

Also known by other names like fin rot, saddleback, and black patch necrosis.

They’re all alternative names for the bacteria Columnaris (Flavobacterium columnare), frequently confused with a fungus owing to its appearance.

Symptoms

• White patches or fuzzy film on the skin
• Red lesions
• Tattered fins
• Loss of appetite
• Excess mucus production

Vibrio Bacterial Disease

Gram-negative bacteria are known as Harvey. A comma-shaped or straight rod is one of the most common forms.

This illness affects saltwater fish since the germs are native to coastal areas.

It’s also capable of causing diseases such as

• Negaprion brevirostris
• Lates calcarifer
• Sciaenops ocellatus
• Epinephelus coioides
• Rachycentron canadum

Symptoms

• Excess mucus production
• Red lesions
• Tattered fins
• Loss of appetite
• Vulnerable to predators
• Lethargy

How to Prevent these Diseases from Occurring

• Carefully handle the parameter variant variations.
• Keep the tank as clean as possible.
• Don’t give or take away too much food.
• To avoid additional disease cases, isolate the afflicted fish/fishes in a separate healing tank.
• If you detect an issue with your fish, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Last Words

These lovely fish are friendly, they’re always fascinating to observe.

Unfortunately, the high cost is what scares people away most.

If you’re ready to spend the cash, these fish will add brightness to your aquarium and confirm they were worth it.

Why did you choose to get Bellus Angelfish? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on the matter!