Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
The Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus), also known as the Ornate Angelfish, is an exquisite and highly prized marine species featuring a striking, streamlined body that exhibits remarkable sexual dimorphism. Belonging to the pelagic Genicanthus genus, it is a mid-water open swimmer that lives high above the reef. Females display a stunning pattern of horizontal black, white, and electric-blue stripes across their flanks, while males feature a soft pearlescent body with a single, bold orange horizontal stripe running through the midsection. It is widely considered one of the ultimate reef-safe centerpieces due to its docile nature and specialized natural diet.
Tank Requirements
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons or larger; as an active, high-velocity open-water swimmer, it requires a long aquarium footprint to prevent pacing and psychological stress.
Aquarium Decor: Open middle and upper swimming lanes paired with deep rockwork caves and ledges where it can safely retreat and sleep at night.
Temperature: 72°F – 78°F (22°C – 26°C).
Salinity (Specific Gravity): 1.020 – 1.025.
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.4.
Care and Feeding
Diet: Omnivorous planktivore; unlike rock-grazing angelfish, it feeds directly out of the open water column. It requires small, frequent daily feedings of vitamin-enriched mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped krill, and high-quality mini pellets.
Reef Safe Rating: Reef safe; because it naturally hunts zooplankton suspended in the water, it will completely ignore small polyp stony (SPS) corals, large polyp stony (LPS) corals, soft corals, zoanthids, and delicate clam mantles.
Temperament: Peaceful; it is exceptionally docile and makes an ideal companion for peaceful community reef layouts. It can be kept singly, but it thrives beautifully when kept in a small harem of one male and multiple females introduced simultaneously.
The Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus), also known as the Ornate Angelfish, is an exquisite and highly prized marine species featuring a striking, streamlined body that exhibits remarkable sexual dimorphism. Belonging to the pelagic Genicanthus genus, it is a mid-water open swimmer that lives high above the reef. Females display a stunning pattern of horizontal black, white, and electric-blue stripes across their flanks, while males feature a soft pearlescent body with a single, bold orange horizontal stripe running through the midsection. It is widely considered one of the ultimate reef-safe centerpieces due to its docile nature and specialized natural diet.
Tank Requirements
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons or larger; as an active, high-velocity open-water swimmer, it requires a long aquarium footprint to prevent pacing and psychological stress.
Aquarium Decor: Open middle and upper swimming lanes paired with deep rockwork caves and ledges where it can safely retreat and sleep at night.
Temperature: 72°F – 78°F (22°C – 26°C).
Salinity (Specific Gravity): 1.020 – 1.025.
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.4.
Care and Feeding
Diet: Omnivorous planktivore; unlike rock-grazing angelfish, it feeds directly out of the open water column. It requires small, frequent daily feedings of vitamin-enriched mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped krill, and high-quality mini pellets.
Reef Safe Rating: Reef safe; because it naturally hunts zooplankton suspended in the water, it will completely ignore small polyp stony (SPS) corals, large polyp stony (LPS) corals, soft corals, zoanthids, and delicate clam mantles.
Temperament: Peaceful; it is exceptionally docile and makes an ideal companion for peaceful community reef layouts. It can be kept singly, but it thrives beautifully when kept in a small harem of one male and multiple females introduced simultaneously.