The Natural Habitat of the Angelfish

Angelfish come in a wide array of different colors and shapes in nature.

Angelfish are some of the most easily recognized tropical fish in both natural settings and aquariums. All angelfish have fins that slant back toward their tails, while some angels display additional long, thin fins that hand down from their bellies. In the wild, angelfish come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, depending on their type and location, and live in many different habitats.

Features

Angelfish come in a range of colors, the most easily recognizable being black and white or silver. Some types of angelfish sport blues, purples, reds and yellow. They may grow up to 18 inches in length or stay smaller at 6 inches. Angelfish live for an average of 15 years in their natural habitats.

Geography

Angelfish live in the Amazon River of South America, and also populate the warm waters of the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii. Some types of angelfish live in the tropical waters of the Pacific Islands and Australia, while others live in the cool water of the Pacific and Atlantic.

Habitat

Some types of angelfish live in fresh water, while others need salt water. All angelfish prefer reef living, where they have access to both food and protection. Most angelfish live in habitats with warm water, and prefer temperatures between 78 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Food

Angelfish are omnivores, which means that they eat both meat and plant matter. Their natural habitat must provide plants, algae, sponges and worms for their consumption. Some angelfish also eat sea fans, soft coral and jellyfish.

Predators

The larger types of angelfish have no natural predators, but smaller angelfish may fall prey to any large predator, including both snakes and dolphins. For this reason, angelfish habitats must have rocks or reefs nearby, for hiding and breeding.

Territory

When an angelfish chooses its living space, it may become very territorial. Males are especially protective of their territories and are known to battle over choice feeding areas or rocks.

References

• AngelFire.com: The Angelfish
• National Geographic: Queen Angelfish
• Animal-World: Blue Angelfish