Chaetodontoplus melanosoma

[i cant think]

So, at one of my LFS’s today, I saw a beautiful juvenile Chaetodontoplus melanosoma and passed. It’s now on my list but I’d like to know some things:
1. How big will it get (I estimated 5-6 inch)
2. Is its growth rate just as slow as other chaetodontoplus species
3. What size tank do you think they need?

Id love one but first I’ll wait till I find answers to each question. It’s definitely on the list (Just behind a second Flashing Tilefish), however what do you guys think. @Zionas I know you know a lot on your angels, maybe you can help?

Here’s a photo of one for anyone unsure of this species:

 

[Captain Redbeard]

max size, roughly 8". Though I've never seen one personally that large, the largest I've seen was about 6".

They can be finicky to get eating if coming in larger, and acclimate best as smaller specimens. They can/will nibble at clams, soft corals etc. Susceptible to ich. They are not as cryptic as some other angels, so require more open swimming space, though they do appreciate ample rockwork to hide in. Juveniles are found more on rubble reef slopes.

I try not to go off the whole "minimum gallons" size as i think thats a little absurd and doesn't account for variable factors. I go off tank dimensions and species behavior. I'd say 48" tank for these guys.

 

[i cant think]

I prefer dimensions too! My tanks a 4’x2’x18” and has:
- Magnificent Foxface
- Twin Spot Bristletooth Tang
- Jade Wrasse
- Radiant Wrasse
- Both Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse Variants
- Black Margin Fairy Wrasse
- Copperband Butterflyfish
- Spot Breast or Zebra Swallowtail Angelfish
- Black Photon Clownfish

I’m also waiting for another Flashing Tilefish to appear in an LFS near me. I’m aware I’m maxed out for now but my Jade will possibly be rehomed so that’ll open up some room in the future.

 

[Dave1993]

that's a nice fish

 

[Zionas]

I don’t have much to add on top of what’s already been mentioned, and by the way my knowledge is only book knowledge. If someone like copps (John Coppolino) was here all the time I would automatically redirect you to him. xD

These have been recorded to get to 8 inches (20cm), but I don’t think they’ll get much past 6 inches in captivity so I agree with others. This family of angels, for the wild caught ones, is somewhat sensitive (though not the most) until established. Many species from what I’ve seen tend to be imported at sizes too large for easy adaptation to captivity, which is a bit of a shame as C. Septentrionalis and some of the others are great. It’s good you found a juvenile, as the rule of thumb for larger angels is that you should start small but not tiny. Larger individuals are best avoided.

Other than that, I’d remove the Jade and make room for this one. I would definitely have this Angel over your Jade Wrasse.

Good luck.

 

[i cant think]

that's a nice fish

Yeah, £79 at the LFS too haha. Don’t think they realised in some areas they’re sold for £100+

 

[Captain Redbeard]

When you have the space, I say go for it. Look forward to seeing it in your tank and best of luck!

 

[Fishfreak2009]

I used to keep one. Started in my 180 gallon at about 4", then moved to my 380 gallon, where it got about 6.5". Very peaceful, a little shy but not bad, no issues with other fish or angels (lived with 2 flames, a potters, 2 multibar, 2 coral beauties, a nox, a lemonpeel, a bicolor, 3 regals, a koran, an emporer, and an asfur as well as a ton of non-angels). No idea on corals as the koran and the butterflies ate them all. Only pics I have are from when it was in quarantine.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

So, at one of my LFS’s today, I saw a beautiful juvenile Chaetodontoplus melanosoma and passed. It’s now on my list but I’d like to know some things:
1. How big will it get (I estimated 5-6 inch)
2. Is its growth rate just as slow as other chaetodontoplus species
3. What size tank do you think they need?

Id love one but first I’ll wait till I find answers to each question. It’s definitely on the list (Just behind a second Flashing Tilefish), however what do you guys think. @Zionas I know you know a lot on your angels, maybe you can help?

Here’s a photo of one for anyone unsure of this species:

Did you get the fish?
My supplier is getting this fish in. It looks fantastic. Its like a conspiculatus knock off.
Curious if its as reef safe as a regular large angel.

 

[i cant think]

Did you get the fish?
My supplier is getting this fish in. It looks fantastic. Its like a conspiculatus knock off.
Curious if its as reef safe as a regular large angel.

I’d absolutely love one still, I passed on this specimen unfortunately. However I now have 3 angels;

However I have found that they seem to be a similar level of reef safe to an Eibli Angel more than a regal.

 

[bluemon]

I have a LOT of these in my refugium.

Oh wait you mean the OTHER Chaeto!

 

[Sleepingtiger]

I’d absolutely love one still, I passed on this specimen unfortunately. However I now have 3 angels;

However I have found that they seem to be a similar level of reef safe to an Eibli Angel more than a regal.

I would love to have a yellow belly regal. I bout 2 in the past. Never made it out of quarantine both times

 

[Zionas]

@i cant think How active do you find your Regal and Majestic? I guess both remain on the small side in captivity?

 

[LaloJ]

Wow I thought this thread was newer, the Chaetodontoplus species are gorgeous, they seem to be designed with very well scattered pastel colors, they look like toy fish, reefbuilders has a couple of videos when Jake got a trio of them, pretty cool.

 

[i cant think]

@i cant think How active do you find your Regal and Majestic? I guess both remain on the small side in captivity?

My majestic and regal are honestly, calmer swimmers than people expect angels to be. They don’t race along the tank like a tang and they hang out round the rock peacefully hunting for food.