Also Known As: Lamarck's Swallowtail Angel Compatibility and BehaviorLamarck's Angel occupies a pretty unique niche among angelfish: it's genuinely reef safe, peaceful, and can be kept in pairs or small harems, which isn't something you can say about many fish in this family. They feature a clean silvery-white to pale gray body with bold black horizontal stripes along the flanks and a distinctive freckled lyretail caudal fin, with subtle blue edging on the dorsal and tail that shows up nicely under reef lighting. Because Lamarck's Angels feed primarily from the water column rather than picking at rock and coral, they tend to leave corals alone and generally make excellent citizens in SPS and mixed reef systems. Individual behavior can always vary, but this species has a well-earned reputation as one of the most trustworthy reef-safe angelfish options in the hobby. Aquarium Requirements Lamarck's Angels are active, open-water swimmers that need room to move. A 90 gallon tank is the practical minimum for Sm/Md specimens, and the layout matters as much as the size. They do best with generous horizontal swimming space and open, airy rockwork rather than tight, enclosed caves. Ledges and crevices are still useful for retreating and sleeping, but the overall feel of the tank should favor open water over dense structure. Flow should be strong but varied, mimicking the reef slopes and drop-offs where this species naturally cruises. A tight-fitting lid is a good idea. Like most active planktivores, they can jump when startled. Feed small and often, focusing on meaty planktonic foods like mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality marine pellets, with some algae-based fare mixed in to round out the diet. SpecificationsApproximate Size: Sm/Md: 1.5-2.5", Lg: 3-4"Diet: Omnivore; planktivorous, small meaty foods, quality pellets, some algae-based foodsOrigin: Indo-West PacificCare Level: ModerateReef Safe: Yes; one of the most reliable reef-safe angelfish options when kept well fedTemperament: Peaceful; can be kept in harems, but avoid multiple males in smaller tanksMinimum Tank Size: 120 gallonsSpecial Considerations: Requires a tight-fitting lid; benefits from frequent small feedings of planktonic foods; an excellent choice for SPS and mixed reef systems
