Griffis’ Angelfish

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   The Griffis' Angelfish, first described by Carlson and Taylor in 1981, was described as a member of the Holacanthus genera. First photographed in the Gilbert Islands in the 1970’s and soon collected in Canton Island, Phoenix Islands; the authors of the angelfish asked Gerald Allen not to illustrate it in his famous Butterfly- & Angelfishes, Volume 2 (1979) until they describe it. One of the authors had photographed it in 1970’s.
   This angelfish is found in the Central and West Pacific; the Marshall, Line, Phoenix, Gilbert and Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. It often occurs in pairs, but solitary individuals are also seen. They inhabit steep reef slopes at depths between 33 - 295 feet (10 - 90 meters). When frightened, they will hide in dead stony coral skeletons or under reef ledges.

Status:
   These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Griffis' Angelfish (Juvenile, 3 cm) Photo Courtesy: Hiroyuki Tanaka

Description:
   The Griffis' Angelfish adult is grayish white with an oblique black band beginning at the head and ending on the lower side of caudal peduncle, and has another oblique white band riding on the black band. The nape has an eye-size black spot, and sometimes there are numerous fine black dots on head. There is another smaller black spot above the pectoral-fin base. The dorsal fin is mostly black with a whitish area on the anterior part, the anal fin is grayish white, and the pelvic fins are whitish. The caudal fin is whitish with the upper tip of the fin prolonged.
   Juveniles are similar to adults but somewhat more contrasted in color, and have a more prominent eye band. Note the differences of coloration in the fins of the juvenile pictured here.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Adults reach 10 inches (25 cm), but most available specimens are less than 6 1/2 inches (17 cm).

Maintenance difficulty:
   No special care is needed to feed this fish as it will take a variety of foods. It does need some crevices to retreat into when a danger approaches, and also lots of open space to swim freely. Once it is successfully acclimated it will become a very hardy fish and it will go up to the surface to take foods.
   Most of the Apolemichthys members are colorful but this species is rather simply colored. Unfortunately some of the species in this genera are rather difficult to keep for a long period, and on occasion they suffer from “ich” (white spot disease) and other infectious diseases. They can be treated successfully with medicine or copper drugs, but some species hate sudden changes in water conditions, including PH, temperature and any drug treatment.
   In the wild a cleaner wrasse (Labroides sp.) will help them by taking parasites from their bodies, however these wrasses are extremely difficult to sustain in captivity. Alternative fish such as Neon Gobies (Gobiosoma spp.) can help them by providing this cleaning service in the home aquarium.

  Diseases that marine angelfish are susceptible to:
Marine Ich (white spot disease), Marine Velvet, and Lymphocystis (a viral infection).

Foods:
   The Griffis' Angelfish are omnivores, in the wild they eat primarily sponges and tunicates, but there is little data on their entire diet. Presumable the young also feed on plant matter. Provide a varied diet. Meaty foods, dried flakes, shrimps, frozen prepared diets for sponge and algae eaters, and tablets are acceptable. Some vegetables and Japanese Nori are also important foods. Feed at least twice a day, if it is a tiny juvenile provide it with foods three to four times everyday.

Maintenance:
   As it may harm polyps of some stony and soft coral species, it is not recommended for reef-type aquariums. Normal water changes of 10% biweekly or 20% monthly is fine.
   For more information see, Marine Aquarium Basics: Maintenance

Aquarium Parameters:
   This fish is not a quick swimmer but needs lots of open space for free swimming, it also needs nooks and crannies to hide in when a danger approaches. An aquarium well decorated with rocks/ corals will providing it with many places for retreat.
Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 50 gallon (189 liters), or larger.
Light: Recommended light levels
   It is best kept under dim to normal aquarium lighting.
Temperature:
   This species lives in tropical areas. Temperatures between 75 -79° F (24 - 26° C) will serve them well, but temperatures higher than 84° F (29° C) or below 72 ° F (22° C) would not be good. .
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements, it can tolerate a rather stronger flow but slow-moving water is preferable.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   They will spend time in all parts of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors:
  The Griffis' Angelfish is recommended for fish only community aquariums. The tank should be well decorated with rocks/ corals with many crevices for retreat, even if it is an adult. It is also said to be a reef safe fish as it does well in a coral-rich tank with sessile inverts, but it may eat some species of hard and soft corals.
   It can get along together with a variety of fish that are not so aggressive, and even some of the more aggressive species. Larger and rather territorial angelfishes like Pomacanthus and Holacanthus can be kept with it, also Centropyge, other members of Apolemichthys, Genicanthus, Chaetodontoplus and Pygoplites also could be good tank mates. Smaller cardinalfish, gobies, tilefish, butterflyfish, fairy basslets, fairy and flasher wrasses, etc. also are good candidates. Small but very territorial fishes like dottybacks should be avoided while this angelfish is still very young or small.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   No sexual differences are noted.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Not yet bred in the aquarium, nor has it been cultivated in any laboratory yet.

Availability:
   The Griffis' Angelfish is still a rarity at retailers. Most available specimens are around 4 inches (10 cm) long, and on very rare occasion juveniles less than 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) are obtainable. It commands a high price of at least $250.00 USD.