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Care Level: Cycled Tank Main Diet:Omnivore Compatibility: Safe Reef Safe: Usually Suggested Tank Size:75+
The swallowtail angelfish is a member of the lyretail angelfish genus (Genicanthus spp.), named for the shape of their tails, which resembles a U-shaped harp instrument called a lyre. The swallowtail species is specifically named for its tails' butterfly-like appearance.
Tails aside, the swallowtail is unique among angelfish species in that it does not pick food out of coral crevices, making it suitable for reef tanks because it will not destroy the coral. This angelfish can get up to seven inches long and prefers a lot of swimming space.
Very few fish show sexual dimorphism, out of those few the Japanese Swallowtail Angel, Genicanthus melanospilos, is one of them. Males feature a silver/white body with black vertical stripes across its body up to is head with yellow and blue markings on its forked tail. Females feature a snow-white body with a bright yellow splash on its back and a black stripe on the top and bottom of the tail. Since they are more peaceful than many other Angelfish, they can be kept as a mated pair, or in a small school of females. Avoid keeping two males in the same tank, as it can lead to extreme aggression.
These Angelfish are also unique in the way that they are reef safe, and will not nip at soft and stony corals, or sessile invertebrates, making them a great choice for an Angelfish in a reef tank setting. Diet should include a variety of spirulina, marine algae, high quality angelfish preparations, mysis and brine shrimp, 3 times daily.
