Philippine Blue Angelfish

Philippine Blue Angelfish are a species of ray-finned fish in the family Pomacanthidae. They are found in South America.

They are one of the most popular marine aquarium fish, and their bright blue color makes them a fantastic choice for saltwater aquariums.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about Philippine Blue Angelfish’s proper care, tank setup, best diet, and habitat.

Philippine Blue Angelfish Origins & Habitat 

The Philippine blue angels formerly lived in the Amazon Rainforest’s center region in South America, but they can now be found all over the world.

Life Cycle & Life Span/ Behavior

1. Fry

Eggs are pelagic and hatch within 60 hours after fertilization. After that, the fry is put into what’s called a “wiggler” stage, which lasts about 5 more days. 

During the wiggler stage, the fry will feed on their egg yolk until they’re free-swimmers.

After about seven days, the fry starts getting hungry and will be very desperate for food.

Therefore, it is essential to start feeding them after around seven days from hatching.

2. Juveniles

The juvenile philippine angelfish takes approximately two years to mature. During this time, it lives alone in reefs or holes, increasing in size and strength before entering adulthood.

3. Adults

Philippine blue angelfish becomes a little more confident as it matures and begins to establish territories and violently defend them against intruders.

What Are the Features of Philippine Blue Angelfish?

1. Physical Appearance

The body of this species is elongated, with triangular dorsal and anal fins, a long forked tail, and a tiny mouth. A spine is positioned on the lower cheekbone.

2. Colors

The Philippine Blue Angelfish, also known as Cobalt Blue Angelfish, features a beautiful blue to greenish hue around the head of the lovely fish that has a black to the silvery background color.

3. Length

They can reach a length of 6 inches (15cm), measured from the dorsal fin’s tip to the endpoint of the anal fin, and have a height of up to 8 inches (20cm).

How to Care for Philippine Blue Angelfish?

Water Requirements

1. Water change

The health of your angels is dependent on their water quality. For a tank with 55 gallons, 10% monthly changes is a good rule of thumb. If you have more than 100 gallons, 15% weekly changes would be appropriate.

Also, make sure to vacuum the gravel during these water changes to remove any uneaten food or waste. Since this waste can lead to high ammonia spikes and nitrite levels, which are toxic to your fish.

Besides, using a protein skimmer can also help to remove some of this waste before it has a chance to break down and pollute the water.

Moreover, a high quality aquarium filter is essential will help to keep the water clean and provide a place for beneficial bacteria to grow.

2. pH Level

As with most angelfish species, the Philippine Blue Angelfish’s pH level in your aquarium must be kept between 8.1 and 8.4 to ensure its long-term health.

3. Water Temperature

They are tropical fish that originate from the warm waters of the South American Amazon basin.

Therefore, the water temperature in your aquarium should be kept between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (24-28 degrees Celsius). However, they’re most comfortable at around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cold water can be deadly stressful to your fish and make them susceptible to disease. So, using a good aquarium heater is essential to maintain a consistent water temperature in your tank.

Tank Setup

1. Size

When it comes to Philippine Blue Angelfish, the most important consideration is tank size and height.

They can grow to be about 6 inches long, which means that you’ll need an aquarium that’s at least 40 gallons.

However, it would be much better if you provide them with a considerably larger and taller aquarium. A tall aquarium is necessary since they grow to be about 8 inches tall and need plenty of vertical space to swim.

2. Tank Decoration

The Philippine Blue Angelfish does not require gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4 inch thick will generally build up with bits of uneaten food, polluting the water quality.

However, plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding places is a must. Also, provide them with some cave-like structures or overhangs where they can retreat when they feel threatened.

In terms of aquarium plants, it’s best to use fast-growing species that can compete with the Philippine Blue Angelfish for food.

What Fishes are compatible with The Philippine Blue Angelfish?

Tetras, Danios, Rainbowfish, Plecostomus Catfish, Swordtails, Gouramis, and other medium-sized fish are suitable tankmates.

Philippine Blue Angelfish Angelfish Diet 

Keeping a proper diet for your fish is as important as keeping the water quality in check.

Premium Fish Food Flakes are intended for juvenile fish, whereas Premium Pellet Food is the ideal food for bigger fish.

For feeding frequency, we recommend 2-3 times a day, but only as much they can consume within 2 minutes. Overfeeding will lead to water quality deterioration and health issues for your fish.

Philippine Blue Angelfish Breeding

The spawning will begin when the requirements for reproduction are satisfied. The female fish lays hundreds of eggs on a flat surface, such as submerged broadleaf or branches, usually ranging between 100 and 1000.

After mating, the female becomes fertilized by the male. Another issue arises from this because commercial inbreeding of these lovely fish has largely eliminated their urge to defend their eggs over time.

They may also consume their eggs, which is inconvenient. To prevent them from doing so, provide a spawning surface such as a shallow cup or plate-shaped item that can be discarded and developed separately.

Philippine Blue Angelfish Gender Difference

When two types of fish swim side-by-side, the larger and more aggressive fish will become male. This is the easiest method to tell the two genders apart as they get older.

It’s conceivable that if a male angelfish dies or is removed from his group’s leadership by an external influence like disease, the next female in line for power may transform into a male.

Possible Diseases and Prevention

White Spot Disease

The Philippine blue angelfish, like other saltwater angelfishes, is susceptible to any disease that strikes in captivity, especially if they are disturbed by unsuitably arranged aquarium conditions or tankmates.

White spot disease Cryptocaryon irritans, also known as Marine Ich, Saltwater Ich, and Crypt is the most prevalent malady affecting marine tangs and angelfish. The primary symptoms of Marine Ick involve constant scratching that leads to lots of white spots.

Marine velvet

The velvet disease, Oodinium ocellatum (also known as Amyloodinium ocellatum or Branchiophilus Maris), is a flagellate that infects fish.

Symptoms of Marine Velvet include:

• Peppery covering and clamped fins
• Respiratory distress (breathing rapidly as seen by frequent or rapid gill movements)
• Eye cloudiness
• Possible weight loss

Parasites

Parasites on marine fish kept in aquariums with live rock or in a reef tank are the most difficult to eliminate.

Copper and formalin solutions, as well as quinine-based medicines, are harmful to other marine species. However, metronidazole and other medicines are effective and safe in the treatment of a variety of protozoan and anaerobic bacterial diseases.

For external parasites, raise the temperature of your tank gradually to at least 82° F (28° C). This will prevent the parasite from completing its life cycle, which involves the attachment to fish.

Last Words

The Philippine blue angelfish is a beautiful fish that will brighten up any aquarium. They are easy to care for, but need a little extra attention when it comes to diet and tank mates.

Also, make sure to provide plenty of hiding places for your fish as they can be a little shy. With the proper care, your Philippine blue angelfish will thrive and bring you years of enjoyment.

We hope you have enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.