Lamarck Angel (Genicanthus Lamarck) Male

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Black, White

Diet : Omnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 9"

Origin : Indo-West Pacific

Family : Pomacanthidae

Minimum Tank Size : 125 gallons

Lamarck Angel (Genicanthus Lamarck), the Blackstriped Angelfish or Freckletail Lyretail Angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. 

These beautiful fish are almost teardrop-shaped, with long flowing filaments extending off the tail fin of the males.This is a good sized angelfish, reaching 9 inches in length. They lack the vibrant colors found on many angelfish species, but they have a unique beauty of their own created by a strong black and white patterning. It's pretty white body is contrasted with up to six horizontal black stripes. The top dorsal fin is also black and there's black spotting to the rear, on the fins and the tail. On females, the wide uppermost black stripe makes a graceful arc across the body. It crosses down over the caudal peduncle and out along the lower part of the tail fin, and is complemented by another black stripe on the upper part of the tail fin. Males lack the arcing crossover stripe of the female, rather their stripes are thin and horizontal.

The Lamarck Angelfish is an excellent candidate for mixing not only with other Angelfish, but is also an excellent candidate for a Reef type aquarium as it does not pick at corals. More easily kept than some other angelfish, the Lamarck's Angelfish requires a well-maintained tank of at least 125 gallons. This angelfish enjoys some rock work and crevices to take refuge, but should be provided with ample open swimming space.

Lamarck's Angelfish may chase small and friendly species like fire gobies and fairy wrasses, and is therefore best kept with fish of its own size or larger, or species that won’t tolerate any bullying. Unlike many other angelfish species, Lamarck's Angelfish is known to leave other angels alone in the aquarium. This species can be kept in pairs as well as in groups, but keeping more than one male Lamarck's Angelfish is not a good idea unless you have a very large and cleverly decorated aquarium. 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.

They have the distinction among angelfish of being sexually dimorphic. This species can change gender from female to male. When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.

The Lamarck's Angelfish is known for being a planktivore in the wild. However, they can be readily fed with a variety of live, frozen, and prepared formula food in an aquarium setting. Their diet must consist of finely chopped shrimp, fish, squid and mussels, spirulina, diatoms and algae. Should be fed two to three times a day.

Size: Small 1" to 2"; Medium 2" to3 1/4"; Large 3 1/4" to 4 1/2"