Bellus Angelfish Care: Appearance, Size, Lifespan, Diet & All

The Bellus Angelfish (Pomacanthus Bellus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. This species occurs in the Indo-West Pacific region.

This is a beautiful species that is very popular in the aquarium trade. It is one of the smaller members of its genus. The Bellus Angelfish has a body that is deep and compressed.

They add plenty of verticality and interest to the reef aquarium. And, their small size means they fit into reef aquariums of just about any size.

Captive-bred specimens are readily available and make much better aquarium fish than wild-caught individuals.

This article will provide detailed information on everything you need to know about caring for Bellus Angelfish in the home aquarium.

So, let’s get started.

Species Summary

Scientific name:	Genicanthus Bellus
Common name:	Ornate Angelfish, Bellus Lyretail Angelfish
Family:	Pomacanthidae
Origin:	Indo-West Pacific
Max length:	up to 7 inches
Life span:	10 years or more in captivity
Habitat:	Reefs
Temperament:	Semi-Aggressive
Minimum Tank Size:	120 gallons
Temperature:	72°-76°F
Water type:	Marine
Specific Gravity:	1.020-1.025
ph Range:	8.1-8.4
Water Hardness:	8-12 dGH
Activity Level:	Moderate
Swimming Level:	Midwater
Compatibility:	Peaceful, but will compete for food with similar-looking fish.
Care Level:	Intermediate
Reproduction:	Eggscatterers
Tank Mate Options:	Queen Angelfish, Emperor Angelfish, Dwarf Angelfish, Passer Angelfish
Breeding:	Rare in captivity
Diet:	Omnivore requires a varied diet

The Bellus Angelfish, also known as the Ornate Angelfish or the Bellus Lyretail Angelfish, is a marine ray-finned fish part of the family Pomacanthidae. This family contains the marine angelfish.

They aren’t commonly sold in the fish trade, but they are a beautiful species that is very popular in the aquarium trade. The price for a juvenile Bellus Angelfish can range from $30-$50, but the price for an adult is usually around $100.

Bellus Angelfish Appearance

The Bellus Angelfish is a beautiful fish with a deep and compressed body. Their coloration is orange-yellow with vertical blue stripes.

The fins are all blue, except for the pectoral fins, which are clear. The males and females look very similar, but the males tend to be slightly larger.

Males have an orange dorsal fin with a blue margin, while females have a yellow dorsal fin with a blue margin.

The Bellus Angelfish is sometimes confused with the Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicircular) but can be distinguished by having more vertical blue stripes. Their caudal peduncle does not have any spots. Both sexes have a lyretail, but the males are much more pronounced.

An adult Bellus Angelfish will have a more confident and relaxed personality than a juvenile. They are also more likely to show their true colors when fully grown.

Bellus Angelfish Size & Growth Rate

The Bellus Angelfish is one of the smaller members of its genus. They grow to a maximum length of around 7 inches, but they are more commonly seen at a size of 4-5 inches.

However, they have been reported to grow up to 12 inches in the wild.

Bellus Angelfish Lifespan

A healthy fish kept in proper conditions has the potential to live for 10 years or more.

Therefore, a Bellus Angelfish’s lifespan is relatively long compared to similar fish species.

Bellus Angelfish Behavior & Temperament

Bellus Angelfish are social and peaceful fish. They can be kept with other delicate fish of a similar size. They are not suitable for a reef tank due to their potential to nip at corals and invertebrates.

They enjoy being in a small group and do best when kept in a group of 5 or more. The males can be territorial, so it is best to keep 1 male per 3 to 4 females.

However, males will fight with each other if there are not enough females. The males tend to be more aggressive than the females.

They are not suitable for a community tank unless it is a huge tank and has plenty of hiding places. They are shy fish and will spend most of their time hiding if they feel threatened. It is essential to provide them with plenty of hiding places in their tank.

Breeding

Bellus Angelfish are challenging to breed in captivity. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means that they all start as females and then turn into males. The males are much larger than the females and have longer fins.

You will need a large tank with plenty of hiding places to breed them successfully. It is best to keep 1 male per 3-4 females. The males will be very aggressive with each other if there are not enough females.

The female will lay her eggs on a flat surface such as a rock or piece of coral. The male will then fertilize the eggs. After the eggs have been fertilized, the female will pick them up and keep them in her mouth until they hatch.

This process can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Once the eggs have hatched, the fry will be released into the water. They will need to be fed minimal food items such as brine shrimp or micro worms.

It is essential to provide plenty of hiding places for the fry as they will be vulnerable to predation.

The fry will proliferate and reach adulthood within 6-8 months.

After the fry has reached adulthood, it can be difficult to have sex. The best way to sex them is to look at their fins. The males will have much more extended fins than the females.

The easiest way to breed them is to buy a group of juveniles and allow them to grow up together. Eventually, they will reach maturity and start producing on their own.

Bellus Angelfish Care

Caring for these fish is not difficult, but it is important to note that they are semi-aggressive. They should only be kept with peaceful fish that are not similar in appearance.

They are also known to compete for food with other angelfish, so it is best to keep them well fed.

Setting up a suitable tank is essential for the long-term health of your Bellus Angelfish. It is necessary to provide hiding places and plenty of live rock for them to graze on. Test the water quality regularly and do not hesitate to change the water if necessary.

There aren’t any specific diseases that target them, but they are susceptible to the same illnesses that affect all marine fish.

Here are some tips to help you keep your Bellus Angelfish healthy:

Tank Size

The minimum tank size for a Bellus Angelfish is 120 gallons, but a larger tank is always better. They are active swimmers and need plenty of space to move around.

However, they are relatively slow eaters, so a smaller tank can be suitable if not too many other fish are present.

When setting up your tank, use a quality filter and provide plenty of live rock for them to graze on.

Water Parameters

They are native to reefs in the Indo-Pacific region, so they are used to warm water. The ideal temperature range for them is between 72°-76°F.

They also prefer a pH level of 8.1-8.4 and a water hardness of 8-10 dGH. It is essential to test the water quality regularly and make changes as necessary to maintain these parameters.

New fish owners should take care when adding these fish to their tank as they are sensitive to sudden changes in water conditions.

Filtration

When choosing a filter for your Bellus Angelfish, make sure to get one suitable for your tank’s size. A good rule of thumb is to get a filter that can turn over the entire volume of your tank at least once per hour.

They are not particularly messy eaters, but they produce a moderate amount of waste. Therefore, a quality protein skimmer is also recommended.

Some recommended filters for their tank include the following:

Fluval FX6 Canister Filter: This filter is suitable for tanks up to 400 gallons and has a flow rate of 630 GPH. This makes it a good choice for their tank.
AquaClear 110 Hang-On Filter: This filter is suitable for tanks up to 100 gallons and has a flow rate of 500 GPH. This makes it a good choice for a smaller Bellus Angelfish tank.

Protein Skimmer

A protein skimmer is not essential, but it is recommended to help keep the water quality high. A good protein skimmer will remove waste and other contaminants from the water before they have a chance to build up.

Some recommended protein skimmers for a Bellus Angelfish tank include the following:

AquaC EV-180 Protein skimmer: This protein skimmer is suitable for tanks up to 200 gallons and has a flow rate of 500 GPH. This makes it a good choice for their tank.
AquaC EV-240 Protein skimmer: This protein skimmer is suitable for tanks up to 400 gallons and has a flow rate of 1000 GPH. This makes it a good choice for a larger Bellus Angelfish tank.

Heating

They are native to warm water, so providing a heater in their tank is essential. The ideal temperature range for them is between 72°-76°F.

Some recommended heaters for their tank include the following:

Eheim Jager Aquarium Heater: This heater is suitable for tanks up to 60 gallons and has a temperature range of 68°-88°F. This makes it a good choice for a smaller Bellus Angelfish tank.
Hydor ETH Inline External Heater: This heater is suitable for tanks up to 100 gallons and has a 66°-93°F temperature range. This makes it a good choice for a larger Bellus Angelfish tank.

Plants

Bellus Angelfish are not particularly fussy when it comes to plants. They will generally eat most types of algae and don’t seem to bother live plants too much.

Some recommended plants for a Bellus Angelfish tank include the following:

Java Fern: This plant is a good choice for a Bellus Angelfish tank as it is not easily eaten and can help control algae growth.
Anubias: This plant is a good choice for a Bellus Angelfish tank as it is not easily eaten and can help provide hiding places for the fish.

Lighting

They do best in moderate to low light when it comes to lighting. Too much light can cause algae growth which these fish will eat.

Some recommended lights for their tank include the following:

Fluval Sea CP1 Aquarium Power Compact Light: This light is suitable for tanks up to 50 gallons and has a color temperature of 6500K. This makes it a good choice for a smaller Bellus Angelfish tank.
AquaIllumination AI Prime HD LED Light: This light is suitable for tanks up to 70 gallons and has a color temperature of 7000K. This makes it a good choice for a larger Bellus Angelfish tank.

Co2 Systems

They do best in a tank with a moderate amount of Co2. Too much Co2 can cause problems such as stunted growth and fish death.

Some recommended Co2 systems for a Bellus Angelfish tank include the following:

Fluval Sea CO2 Advance System: This system is suitable for tanks up to 100 gallons and comes with a regulator and solenoid valve. This makes it a good choice for their tank.
AquaIllumination AI SOL Blue LED Light: This system is suitable for tanks up to 200 gallons and comes with a controller and solenoid valve. This makes it a good choice for a larger Bellus Angelfish tank.

Substrate

They are not particularly fussy when it comes to the substrate. They will generally eat most types of algae and don’t seem to bother live plants too much.

Some recommended substrates for a Bellus Angelfish tank include the following:

Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate: This substrate is a good choice for their tank as it is rich in nutrients and can help to promote plant growth.
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum: This substrate is a good choice for their tank as it is rich in nutrients and can help provide hiding places for the fish.

Decorations

They are not particularly fussy when it comes to decorations. They will generally eat most types of algae and don’t seem to bother live plants too much.

Some recommended decorations for a Bellus Angelfish tank include the following:

Driftwood: This is a good choice for their tank as it can help provide hiding places for the fish and help control algae growth.
Rocks: This is a good choice for their tank as it can help to provide hiding places for the fish and can also help to create a more natural look.
Artificial plants: This is a good choice for their tank as it can help provide hiding places for the fish and help control algae growth.

Water Conditioners

Water conditioners are not strictly necessary for a Bellus Angelfish tank, but they can be beneficial. Water conditioners can help remove impurities from the water and make it safer for the fish.

Some recommended water conditioners for their tank include the following:

API Freshwater Master Test Kit: This kit is a good choice for a Bellus Angelfish tank as it can help test the water quality and ensure that it is safe for the fish.
API Stress Coat+ Water Conditioner: This conditioner is a good choice for a Bellus Angelfish tank as it can help remove impurities from the water and make it safer for the fish.

Other Tank Accessories

There are a few other things that you will need for your Bellus Angelfish tank. These include airline tubing, a thermometer, and an aquarium stand.

Some recommended tank accessories for their tank include the following:

Airline Tubing: This is necessary for connecting your Co2 system to your aquarium.
Thermometer: This is necessary for monitoring the water temperature.
Aquarium stand: This is necessary for supporting the weight of your aquarium.

These are just a few things you will need for your Bellus Angelfish tank. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find everything that you need to set up a healthy and happy home for your fish.

Water Changes

Water changes are essential for keeping your Bellus Angelfish tank clean and healthy. It is recommended that you perform a 20-30% water change every 2 weeks.

The steps for performing a water change are as follows:

Remove the aquarium cover.
Using a gravel vacuum, remove 20-30% of the water from the tank.
Refill the tank with fresh, treated water.
Replace the aquarium cover.
Test the water quality and adjust as necessary.

Some recommended products for performing a water change include the following:

Aquarium Masters Gravel Vacuum: This gravel vacuum is good for a Bellus Angelfish tank explicitly designed for aquariums.
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Fresh and Saltwater Test Kit: This test kit is a good choice for a Bellus Angelfish tank. It can help test the water quality and adjust the parameters as necessary.

Cleaning The Tank

It is essential to clean the tank regularly to remove algae and debris. It is recommended that you clean the tank every 2 weeks.

The steps for cleaning the tank are as follows:

Remove the aquarium cover.
Using a gravel vacuum, remove all of the water from the tank.
Clean the glass with an algae scraper.
Clean the gravel with a gravel vacuum.
Refill the tank with fresh, treated water.
Replace the aquarium cover.

Some recommended products for cleaning the tank include the following:

Aquarium Masters Glass Cleaner: This glass cleaner is good for a Bellus Angelfish tank explicitly designed for aquariums.
Cleaning The Filter: It is essential to clean the filter regularly to remove debris and build-up. It is recommended that you clean the filter every 2 weeks.

The steps for cleaning the filter are as follows:

Remove the filter from the tank.
Disassemble the filter and wash all of the parts with water.
Reassemble the filter and return it to the tank.

Some recommended products for cleaning the filter include the following:

Aquarium Masters Filter Cleaner: This filter cleaner is good for a Bellus Angelfish tank explicitly designed for aquariums.
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Fresh and Saltwater Test Kit: This test kit is a good choice for a Bellus Angelfish tank. It can help test the water quality and adjust the parameters as necessary.

Testing The Water

It is essential to test the water quality regularly to ensure that the parameters are within the ideal range. It is recommended that you test the water quality every 2 weeks.

The steps for testing the water quality are as follows:

Remove a small sample of water from the tank.
Test the pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
Adjust the water parameters as necessary.

Common Possible Diseases

There are a few common diseases that can affect Bellus Angelfish.

These diseases include the following:

White Spot Disease: This disease is caused by a parasitic creature called Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Symptoms include white spots on the body and fins, scratching, and clamped fins. Treatment options include raising the temperature of the water and using a parasite treatment such as CopperSafe.
Hexamita Disease: This disease is caused by a protozoan called Hexamita Parva. Symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, and increased appetite. Treatment options include using a medication such as Metronidazole.
Cotton Wool Disease: This disease is caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Symptoms include white fuzzy growth on the body and fins. Treatment options include using a medication such as Kanamycin.
Vibrio Bacterial Disease: This disease is caused by a bacteria called Vibrio harveyi. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and increased mucus production. Treatment options include using a medication such as Kanamycin.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your fish, it is essential to take them to a vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Preventing Diseases

There are a few things that you can do to help prevent diseases in your fish.

These things include the following:

Quarantine new fish before adding them to the tank.
Keep the tank clean and the water parameters within the ideal range.
Do not overfeed your fish.
Avoid stressing your fish.

Treatment And Medications Of Diseases

If your fish become sick, it is essential to take them to a vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment. A few common medications are used to treat diseases in fish.

These medications include the following:

CopperSafe: This medication is used to treat white spot disease.
Metronidazole: This medication is used to treat Hexamita disease.
Kanamycin: This medication treats cotton wool disease and vibrio bacterial infection.

If you have any questions about the care of your fish, it is essential to speak to a vet or an experienced aquarium keeper for advice.

Food & Diet

These are omnivorous fish, so their diet should consist of plant and animal material.

A good quality flake food or pellet food that contains all the necessary nutrients will suffice. You can also supplement their diet with live food, frozen food, or vegetables.

Some good options for live food include:

Brine shrimp
Bloodworms
Daphnia

These are a good source of protein for your fish.

Some good options for frozen food include:

Mysis shrimp
Krill
Squid

These are also a good source of protein for your fish.

Some good options for vegetables include:

Zucchini: You can either feed them zucchini slices or blanched zucchini.
Spinach: You can either feed them spinach leaves or blanched spinach.
Cucumber: You can either feed them cucumber slices or blanched cucumber.
Peas: You can either feed them peas or blanched peas.

It is essential to offer a variety of food to ensure that your fish are getting all the necessary nutrients.

Diet Foods To Avoid

There are a few food items that you should avoid feeding your fish.

These food items include the following:

Raw meat: This can contain bacteria that can be harmful to your fish.
Processed food: This can contain harmful ingredients to your fish.
Spoiled food: This can contain toxins that can be harmful to your fish.
Chemically treated food: This can contain chemicals harmful to your fish.

If you have any questions about what to feed your fish, it is essential to speak to a vet or an experienced aquarium keeper for advice.

Feeding Schedule

How often you should feed your fish will depend on their age, size, and activity level.

As a general rule of thumb, you should feed them 2-3 times per day.

You should only feed them as much as they can eat in 2-3 minutes.

If you are unsure how much to feed your fish, it is better to err on the side of caution and provide them less rather than more.

Tank Mates

Do not keep them with aggressive fish or fish that are large enough to eat them.

Tankmates should be relatively peaceful and of a similar size.

Some good tank mates for them include:

Chromis
Butterflyfish
Blennies
Clownfish
Cardinalfish
Some shrimp species (Cherry Shrimp, Bamboo Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp)
Dartfish
Pipefish

Fish To Avoid

Do not keep them with aggressive fish or fish that are large enough to eat them.

Some fish to avoid include:

Barracuda
Grouper
Snapper
Moray eel
Shark
Tuna

Anything that is known to be aggressive or more significant than your Bellus Angelfish.

Advantages Of Having Bellus Angelfish In Your Tank

The first advantage is that they are beautiful fish. They have a bright blue body with yellow stripes. They are sure to add some color and life to your tank.

Another advantage is that they are peaceful fish. They will not bother other fish in your tank and can even be kept with smaller fish.

The last advantage is that they are easy to care for. They do not require any special care and can even be kept in a smaller tank.

Disadvantages Of Having Bellus Angelfish In Your Tank

One disadvantage is that they are shy fish. They may spend most of their time hiding if they feel threatened.

Another disadvantage is that they are challenging to breed. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means that they all start as female and then turn into males. This can make it challenging to get a group of them to breeding age.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, Bellus Angelfish are beautiful, peaceful fish that are easy to care for. However, they may spend most of their time hiding and are challenging to breed. If you are looking for a fish that is sure to add some color to your tank, then the Bellus Angelfish is an excellent choice.

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!

Bellus Angelfish Care: Appearance, Size, Lifespan, Diet & All | 2024

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