{"product_id":"west-african-angelfish","title":"West African Angelfish","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe West African Angelfish, \u003cem\u003eHolacanthus africanus\u003c\/em\u003e, is a striking large marine angelfish prized for its dramatic color transformation and impressive presence. Juveniles display deep blue coloration accented by a bright yellow tail and pale vertical band, while adults develop a distinctive olive-green to yellowish body with contrasting fin margins and a prominent light vertical bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the tropical Eastern Atlantic along the West African coast, this species inhabits rocky reefs where it grazes among rockwork and searches for sponges, algae, and other natural foods. Its substantial adult size, active personality, and bold coloration make it an exceptional centerpiece saltwater fish for large, well-established marine aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough hardy once acclimated, the West African Angelfish requires significant swimming room and should be housed with appropriately sized tankmates. It is particularly well suited to spacious fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock systems, while reef aquariums require considerably more caution due to its tendency to sample corals and other sessile invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 180 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eastern Atlantic – West Africa, from Senegal south to the Democratic Republic of the Congo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHolacanthus africanus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a large, mature aquarium with substantial open swimming space and sturdy rockwork arranged to create caves, overhangs, and sheltered areas. Live rock is especially beneficial, giving the fish surfaces to investigate and graze throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause adults can approach 18 inches in total length, long-term housing should provide ample horizontal swimming room rather than relying solely on aquarium volume. Rock structures should be secure and arranged so that a large-bodied angelfish can comfortably move between them without becoming confined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate to strong circulation and efficient filtration are recommended for maintaining excellent water quality. A secure aquarium cover is also advisable, particularly while a new specimen is acclimating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe West African Angelfish is an omnivore that naturally consumes a mixture of sponge material, algae, and other benthic foods. A varied captive diet is important for maintaining body condition and coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer quality marine angelfish preparations containing sponge along with mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped shrimp or other marine seafood, frozen omnivore blends, Spirulina-based foods, marine algae, and high-quality pellets. Nori or other marine algae sheets can also be offered regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed several smaller meals throughout the day when practical, particularly during acclimation. Established live rock provides additional opportunities for natural grazing between feedings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a semi-aggressive, territorial marine angelfish that becomes increasingly assertive as it matures. It is generally best housed with medium to large community fish capable of holding their own without being excessively aggressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse caution when combining it with other large angelfish, particularly similarly shaped \u003cem\u003eHolacanthus\u003c\/em\u003e species. Territorial disputes can become significant in confined aquariums. Keeping a single West African Angelfish is the safest approach for most home systems unless the aquarium is exceptionally large and carefully planned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery small or timid fish may be intimidated by a mature specimen, so tankmates should be selected with its eventual size and confident behavior in mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe West African Angelfish is not considered reliably reef safe. Like many large \u003cem\u003eHolacanthus\u003c\/em\u003e angelfish, it may nip at soft corals, stony corals, sponges, tunicates, clam mantles, and other sessile invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndividual behavior varies, but this species is better suited to fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock aquariums when protection of ornamental corals and invertebrates is a priority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–78°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable, consistently high water quality is more important than attempting to maintain any single exact value within these ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaches approximately 17–18 inches and requires a genuinely large aquarium for long-term care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan become territorial, particularly toward other large angelfish and similarly shaped species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide mature live rock for grazing, shelter, and environmental enrichment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed a varied diet containing both marine vegetable matter and sponge-based angelfish foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot recommended for reef systems where protecting corals, clams, sponges, and other sessile invertebrates is a priority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"SM (2.6-3.5\")","offer_id":52721599349034,"sku":"ANGxAfrSM","price":599.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"M (3.6-4.5\")","offer_id":52721599381802,"sku":"ANGxAfrM","price":601.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"ML (4.6-5.5\")","offer_id":52721599414570,"sku":"ANGxAfrML","price":641.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L (5.6-6.5\")","offer_id":52721599447338,"sku":"ANGxAfrL","price":741.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL (6.6-7.5\")","offer_id":52721599480106,"sku":"ANGxAfrX","price":895.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XX (7.6-8.5\")","offer_id":52721599512874,"sku":"ANGxAfrXX","price":1007.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SH (8.6-10.5\")","offer_id":52721599545642,"sku":"ANGxAfrSH","price":1175.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"S (2.1-2.5\")","offer_id":52721605214506,"sku":"ANGxAfrS","price":491.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"J (10.6+\")","offer_id":52721605247274,"sku":"ANGxAfrJUM","price":1399.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/tsa-fish-west-african-angelfish-1257022898.png?v=1788503476","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/west-african-angelfish","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}