Majestic Angelfish

[bruno3047]

I’ve had a few Majestic Angelfish in my life. Five at least with 2 raised from 2” or so juveniles and one from about 2 1/ 2” who had already changed into adult coloration. The two raised from juveniles never gained at all that bright iridescent blue border that is such an attractive part of this fish. I bought the 2 1/2 inch with adult coloration thinking it would grow into an adult with that beautiful blue border. But even with that fish, the blue border never grew larger than what it was when the fish was acquired, even though it grew into a 7 inch adult. The bright blue border stayed about an inch long only. Does anyone know anything about this that is concrete, not a guess? I’ve done so much research looking for information about this anomaly and have been unable to find anything at all.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Interesting observations you made / interesting question!

 

[lion king]

Small variations in color usually comes from a regional difference. Just like the blue slash in the lemonpeel angel, regional. Which region the ones you speak of come from, I do not know.

 

[bruno3047]

Small variations in color usually comes from a regional difference. Just like the blue slash in the lemonpeel angel, regional. Which region the ones you speak of come from, I do not know.

This is not a small variation.

 

[lion king]

This is not a small variation.

Really any color variations, a color variation really is considered a small variation is relationship to the species overall. It is still a majestic angel, this is almost certainly a regional difference, it is not a different species or a hybrid. Even hybrids are a regional phenomenon. Regional differences come from anything like a breeding line to diet variations. Unless you can determine the specific coloration you are looking for comes from a specific region and specifically hunt for a individual from that region., then it's just luck of the draw.

In some fish a diet variation is what causes color differences. The majestic angel being a spongivore, perhaps the coloration of sponges in a particular region could cause this variation. Because of the unavailability of certain foods in captivity, there are species that will lose special coloration as time goes on. If you are looking the absolute answer in your case, you are likely not going to find it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Really any color variations, a color variation really is considered a small variation is relationship to the species overall. It is still a majestic angel, this is almost certainly a regional difference, it is not a different species or a hybrid. Even hybrids are a regional phenomenon. Regional differences come from anything like a breeding line to diet variations. Unless you can determine the specific coloration you are looking for comes from a specific region and specifically hunt for a individual from that region., then it's just luck of the draw.

Agree- small variation unless you paint the fish
Geographic location of origin, lighting and DIET play a role in fish coloration.
An example would be Harlequin Tusk. Australian will blow other version away. Same applies to many wrasse species- Hawaii VS atlantic

 

[lion king]

You could offer blue or purple sponges, I'm not sure if they would eat this, my angels will not eat the purple sponge. They also eat algae, so offering a blue green algae, which produces phycocyanin, this does enhance the blue coloration. There are angel diets which include sponges, as well as a supplement from Brightwell specifically for angels, which contains certain elements included in a naturally wild diet.

 

[bruno3047]

.

 

[bruno3047]

It’s not a small variation when every photo of a majestic angel that I’ve ever seen other than those that I have raised from small juveniles have that blue border. I was hoping for some definitive knowledge, not conjecture. But thanks anyway. BTW. I fed my angel fish with mega marine angel formula from hikari and angel formula from ocean nutrition that both have sponge material in them. As well as all the other recommended foods along with a healthy supply of tank grown algae. I don’t think it’s nutrition. But I’m just guessing.

 

[lion king]

I did mention there are foods they get in the wild, which are not available or being offered in captivity. The phycocyanin I mentioned that does enhance the blue coloration is found in spirulina. The commercial angel diets doesn't necessarily contain sponges that enhance blue coloration. I think you answered your own question when you said "all the ones I've raised", which does point to a breeding line. So there is really only 3 answers; regional, diet, genetics; and it all starts regional. So there is no conjecture, it's about what answer are you looking for.

 

[bruno3047]

I did mention there are foods they get in the wild, which are not available or being offered in captivity. The phycocyanin I mentioned that does enhance the blue coloration is found in spirulina. The commercial angel diets doesn't necessarily contain sponges that enhance blue coloration. I think you answered your own question when you said "all the ones I've raised", which does point to a breeding line. So there is really only 3 answers; regional, diet, genetics; and it all starts regional. So there is no conjecture, it's about what answer are you looking for.

Note that Spirulina is one of the ingredients of this angel formula fish food. You’re just guessing. I was hoping for more than that. But thanks anyway.​

​

Ingredients​

Sponge, casein, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, mussels, fish eggs, squid, salmon eggs, spirulina, lecithin, carrageenan, choline chloride, magnesium sulfate, iron, paprika, fish oil, inositol, a-tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, calcium carbonate, biotin, calcium pantothenate, niacin, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), riboflavin (source of vitamin B2), L-ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), potassium iodide, vitamin A supplement, citric acid (preservative), folic acid, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K3 activity), cobalt carbonate, vitamin B12 supplement.

Angel Formula | Ocean Nutrition

oceannutrition.com

 

[Zionas]

@lion king How long have you had yours and how big is it / how much has it grown? How’s its size and growth rate compared to your Flagfin and Tangs?

 

[lion king]

@lion king How long have you had yours and how big is it / how much has it grown? How’s its size and growth rate compared to your Flagfin and Tangs?

Ive had the majestic at around 10 years , Id say around 4.5"-5", really doesn't grow. Not the biggest eater, I suspect he is nibbling algaes and cryptic mushrooms around the tank. Historically the majestic has been a difficult fish for long term, I sometimes wonder how mine has lasted so long without growing and seemingly eating so little. He looks good, everytime someone new looks at my tank, they ask about him.

Flagfins don't grow incredibly fast and likely never get much more than 6-7" in captivity. Tangs are all over the board as far as growth rate and captive size, so you would have to be more specific. Some grow fast and huge while others captive size is substantially less than their listed size.

 

[Zionas]

That’s good to know. But yeah as long as he looks good and is managing to thrive, not much else really matters. Didn’t know they were difficult but maybe it’s because they’re not a rare sight captive bred. Assuming the Majestic tops out a lot smaller than most other large angels in captivity that’s always good. I’m also not entirely convinced that not reaching or getting close to wild size necessarily shortens the lifespan of a fish. Obviously the tank still has to be somewhat appropriate sized but people have kept fish for decades and they didn’t get close to wild size.

I was really just referring to Zebrasoma tangs and Ctenochaetus and some Acanthurus. Only the Black Tang in Zebrasoma is caught at decent sizes but yeah, not sure about your experience but it seems that one’s like Yellows don’t get much past 6”, often less, in captivity.

 

[lion king]

That’s good to know. But yeah as long as he looks good and is managing to thrive, not much else really matters. Didn’t know they were difficult but maybe it’s because they’re not a rare sight captive bred. Assuming the Majestic tops out a lot smaller than most other large angels in captivity that’s always good. I’m also not entirely convinced that not reaching or getting close to wild size necessarily shortens the lifespan of a fish. Obviously the tank still has to be somewhat appropriate sized but people have kept fish for decades and they didn’t get close to wild size.

I was really just referring to Zebrasoma tangs and Ctenochaetus and some Acanthurus. Only Papuan scorp Black Tang in Zebrasoma is caught at decent sizes but yeah, not sure about your experience but it seems that one’s like Yellows don’t get much past 6”, often less, in captivity.

The zebrasoma's with the exception of the sailfin likely won't get much bigger than 6" or so, the sailfin does grow fast and much bigger. The Ctenochaetus are the smallest of the bunch and usually don't grow that fast either, some are more difficult than others. The Acanthuras are a very broad spectrum.

 

[Zionas]

I see. Do any Acanthurus tend to remain smaller in captivity than others?

 

[lion king]

I see. Do any Acanthurus tend to remain smaller in captivity than others?

The best 2 smallest acanthuras is the mimic/chocolate tang and the lavender tang. The powdered stay smaller but they can get pretty aggressive, the blue more so than the brown. All of these look so much nicer in person, pics don't do them justice.