FAQs about Subgenus Euxiphipops Angelfish Identification

FAQs about Subgenus Euxiphipops Angelfish Identification

Related Articles: Euxiphipops, Marine Angelfishes,

Angelfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
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by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Re: Juvenile Blueface that looks like a Sixbar except. 2/5/15
Hi Bob,
<Adam>
The small Blueface is fine he is about 2 inches now
<Ahh!>
and has a good gold bar between the eyes and light blue stripes between the thicker white ones. I am convinced that when they are tiny about 1inch and below Bluefaces and Sixbars are identical as there are no fine blue lines and the same number of white lines in both. Anyway at a tiny size I think they should be left in the sea,
<Agreed>
every thing is against them, they shock easily, generally timid, hard to get eating, need excellent water conditions etc. I drove to get some live baby Artemia to kick them off as they would not eat anything dead I tried.
Soon after they ate Newlife Spectrum 1mm Marine Fish Formula which was a bit large for them to swallow, I think that food is excellent and that is all they eat I feed small amounts between 3 to 5 times a day.
<We are of the same experience, opinion>
I got them small by mistake but worked out ok as I buy my fish from photos my retailer being about 750kms away and this fish or a tiny Emperor did not have photos sent prior to deciding and shipping and was smaller than I expected the Emperor was even smaller but has grown faster and is about 3inch now about 31/2 months later. Both when tiny are better left in the
sea normally. I have never seen a Blueface or Emperor so tiny before and hope to see them in adult colours this year Blueface has started.
Kind regards,
Adam.
<For browsers, Adam really IS way out in the middle of no LFS! Bob Fenner>

Juvenile Blueface that looks like a Sixbar except. Euxiphipops ID 10/24/14
Hi,
I have a Juvenile Angel which was about 1 inch, he was sold as a Blueface but at that size I think it is anyone's guess between a Blueface and a Sixbar. He has doubled in size and looks exactly like a Sixbar, wide white lines, no light blue lines between them, only two bars on the tail fin but he is getting the gold bar between the eyes. So I guess a lucky surprise!
<Happens at times. Send along a good pic when you can>
Kind regards,
Adam.
<BobF>
Re: Juvenile Blueface that looks like a Sixbar except. 10/25/14
Hi Bob,
<Adam>
These guys are clever they come to the front when I stand there as they think it is yum yum time but as soon as I walk up with a camera they swim for cover, lol. I will try and take a picture he looks like a classic Sixbar, except for the Goldbar which I waited a few weeks before writing this to confirm it was. I think there is an overlap in juveniles therefore.
Strangely in the UK we never saw Sixbars so the problem did not occur. I buy my fish on my retailer's word as they are about 750kms away
<Wow!>
and we are not allowed to take from the sea which is only about 1lm away although I have never seen them here there are meant to be around. Always see Moorish Idols which are lovely even in 1 meter of water.
Kind regards,
Adam.
<And you, BobF>

Hi. Euxiphipops ID, and avoiding unwanted HH on DIY collected LR 8/30/14
Hi Bob,
<Adam>
A couple of questions which are not so easy:
1. I live near a coral reef and wanted to take some live rock for the various different type of coloured algae on the rocks. However I learnt the hard way before as my small fish were eaten by crabs that came inside the rock and ate the small fish at night in my tank.
<Yikes; yes>
Therefore if I fresh water dip the rocks and shake them for about two minutes hopefully this gets rid of the crabs which drop off but will it also kill all the lovely coloured algae defeating the whole object of taking them in the first place?
<I'd go another route here. Isolate the new rock in a separate system.... and try to bait/trap out unwanted hitchhikers for a few weeks. Such techniques and gear are discussed in the "Compatibility FAQs" of each group... e.g. Crabs, Bristleworms....>
2. This is a very difficult question: I have a tiny Angel which is about 1 inch. He is all good eating, swimming and is currently only in the tank with a tiny Emperor who is all good too. I intentionally did this so they can acclimatise and get to know there way around the tank. The problem is having looked extensively online and been an expert myself in this, is he a Blueface or a Sixbar. The Blueface has light blue bars between the white bars and the white bars of the Blueface are narrower compared to the SixBar Angel and the Blueface has three/four blue lines in the tail, which is not always the case as pointed out on your site back in 2009. Anyway my question is perhaps I have already answered it that there is not certainty
but when the Angels are this small do they get the white lines first and then the blue lines later?
<Usually the white is obvious first>
Maybe I am been too hopeful but he looks like a Sixbar but I am happy as he has the electric blue around the edge of his fins and still looks excellent but also online have seen pictures of what looks like Sixbar starting to change to Bluefaces.
<Ahh; only time can and will tell here>
Kind regards,
Adam.
<Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Difference between Juvenile Euxiphipops sexstriatus and Euxiphipops xanthometopon. 4/2/2009
Hi,
<Hi Adam>
Is there any 100% difference between a juvenile of the above, the only difference I notice when I view these fish is that the white bars are slightly thicker in the sexstriatus. Is there anything else I can go on please?
<There certainly is: E. xanthometopon, may be told apart from E. sexstriatus by their having three blue tail stripes to the Six-Bands one or two. Do read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pomacanthus/euxiphipops.htm
, particularly with regards to collection and feeding, Euxiphipops do not
have a reputation of being hardy in captivity >
Regards,
<My Pleasure>
Adam.
<Mike>
Re: Difference between Juvenile Euxiphipops sexstriatus and Euxiphipops xanthometopon. 4/3/2009
Mike,
<Adam>
I do not think your answer is entirely accurate as I have a 21/2inch who is just getting the gold bar between the eyes but only has 2 strips on his tail fin.
<Thank you for sharing.>
Regards,
Adam.
<Mike><<... please see my pix where Mike referred you. RMF>>

Euxiphipops... sel. 1/25/08 Bob -- on another totally unrelated question, how do you feel about non-cyanided Blue-face Angel specimens? <Have seen some very nice small ones out of Bali in particular, that did very well> I was able to acquire a juvenile of about 2.5 inches long who I was 100% assured was not cyanided (in fact, I was given a 2 month warranty on the angel as well). While I wait for my 180G to be set-up (within the next 6 months after I move out of my current residence -- it's in storage and has me salivating) he'll be in my 90. He's been eating like an absolute pig -- didn't eat the first day, but has eaten New Life Spectrum pellets every day since -- <Ahh! A very fine friends product line. He too has this subgenus of Angels now for several years... fed exclusively on Spectrum...> and feeding aggressively as well. I must say that it's given me a bit of hope for him. Obviously he was given the same Formalin bath (65 minutes long) and placed into a separate tank for QT as well until everyone is ready to be moved into the main tank. I know you're not a huge fan of the Euxiphipops angels (for good reason), but I do have to believe that I've received a good specimen here and I'm dealing with a top notch LFS as well. - Jon <Outstanding! Thank you for sharing Jon. BobF>

Re: Euxiphipops... ID 1/25/08 Bob -- Also, here is a picture of the juvenile Blue-Face Angel. I actually have doubts that it IS a Blue-Face now, so this email doubles being a picture show and ID question. <The fish shown is almost assuredly a P. E. sexstriatus juvenile. Bob Fenner>

Re: Euxiphipops... ID 1/25/08 I THOUGHT it might've been P.E. sexstriatus. Well, that's a bit of a bummer since I know they get a good 5-6 inches larger than the Blue-face. I won't return him for now since he's eating so darn well, but I'll likely trade/sell in him the future once he gains size. I was thinking it could've also been a P. chrysurus as well, but I think it is P.E. sexstriatus because of the incomplete tail white bar. Either way, I know they are touchy angels and I'm glad that I got one that has been eating as aggressively as he has been. <Mmm, I could be wrong... do take a look at Steene and Allen's works on Pomacanthids... Bob Fenner>

Re: Euxiphipops... ID 1/25/08 I think I'm actually just going to play wait-and-see with it, Bob. Whatever it is -- it is. That way it can be at least partially a surprise. I'm sure someone would purchase it off of me in the area once it's a bit bigger, anyway, if it is indeed the P.E. sexstriatus (which I believe it to be as well). <It is> Funny, though, because the LFS I bought it from are absolutely impeccable fish guys with a great rep and, as I said, gave me a 2 month warranty on the fish. Everyone makes mistakes, and who am I to fault them for making one that anyone could've made? - Jon <... a very good question Jon... Who are we? B> Bingo! Thanks for all the help and question answers, Bob. I've said it before -- guys like you make this hobby much more enjoyable. - Jon
<A pleasure to serve, share Jon. BobF>

Good Fish Identification Site >Hey Marina, >>Hey. >Don't know if you guys already do have a link, I did not check, any way it I was referred to it by a Marine Biologist in Hong Kong. >>Yes, it's a very good site. >My dark secret, About 3 weeks ago I bought a Majestic Angel and put it into my 50gal tank. It's a little lady about 2.5 inches and in perfect health. It's very difficult to get a healthy collected Majestics in Hong Kong. I managed to convince the guy who I buy my reef supplies/corals to get it for me (when I asked them first the response was you just have to keep buying them and hope that they survive...eeeks!!!). >>I'll say! Jeez.. >When he got this fish he called me and I just had to take it, so you understand why I took it. I paid $25 for the fish, steal huh?? >>Out here, definitely. >That's the going price here anyway. My twin daughters (5 years) just love her and call her Gabriellis (after the arch angel). I would not have got her if I did not plan to get a bigger tank later on. As you know my dream tank comes in Dec/Jan. Still, I was feeling quite guilty, and if there were any delays to my tank, I wanted to release the fish. >>Not such a good idea, my friend. >So I wrote to this Marine Biologist and enquired if there were any angels in Hong Kong waters, apparently it turns out there are 4 species which for your info are: Centropyge tibicen Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis Pomacanthus annularis Pomacanthus semicirculatus but there are no Pomacanthus Navarchus and he has requested me not to release it, so I guess I have not choice but get my tank on schedule. >>Spot on. >I am a fishing nut, I have seen damsels in Hong Kong waters and some fish that from the top look like Banggai Cardinals...not sure they spook immediately when you approach to close. Just a question on this angel, can I feed her cabbage and Broccoli? >>I see no harm, though I don't know what nutrition she'll really get from the cabbage. Nori would be excellent for her, though. >I tried it yesterday and she ate it, any side effects? >>Broccoli smells and cabbage gives me gas. I'm feeling fine, though, thank you. >She takes spinach and lettuce readily. She is a real lady, does not molest the corals in my tank. >>Do watch the LPS corals. >Very well behaved. When my large tank arrives (400 gal) I will introduce a smaller Asfur, any problems? These are my absolute two favorite fish. >>We like to avoid mixing angels of the same genus unless there's a great deal of room. Differing genus' may be worth a try, though I would watch all angels carefully. >Kind Regards, Jorell >>Do take care. Marina

Blueface angel eyespot disappearing with growth Hi, <Hello there> I've been in the marine aquarium hobby about 25 years. I started way back in the "caveman" days with undergravel filters and crushed coral. I have definitely had my share of heartbreak and disappointments with ich until I "learned" the absolute essential of quarantining. I then became a fanatic about quarantining - and I do it a minimum of 6 weeks just to be sure. Since I've done this one simple step of quarantining, I've have never had ich in my main systems. I've still lost some while in quarantine, but all of my main systems have remained ich free. Yes, ich-free is possible. <Agreed> I actually started doing the transfer method (aka water change method w/ bare bottom vacuuming today) back in the late eighties. This is somewhat of an intense process, but I believe is the very best method of eliminating ich in quarantine - not to mention that it's chemical-free. I was thrilled that you guys are such proponents of intense quarantine practices upon discovering your website some years ago. It is probably the single most important thing to learn in order not to become frustrated and drop out of the hobby. <Perhaps so... vies with a lack of ready, useful information IMO> Anyway, about four years ago I moved and was able to set up my dream tank: A four hundred gallon (96"x30"x32"). FOWLR, DSB, 125 gallon sump with two Red Sea turbo skimmers - I know, I could stand to upgrade here but the newer turbo series is way better than the old venturi models that Red Sea has. Anyway, the current occupants are: 10" Blueface Angel, 6" Rock Beauty Angel (alive and doing well for over four years now :-)), 4" Flame Angel, 4" Lemonpeel Angel, 8" Blue Tang, 8" Blonde Naso Tang, 6" Purple Tang, 8" Harlequin Tusk, 5" Clown Trigger, 4" Stars and Stripes Puffer, 4" Bicolor Goatfish, 4" Yellow Goatfish, 3" four-stripe damsel, and two 2" yellowtail damsels. All are doing well and thriving. A special thanks to Bob Fenner regarding the Goatfish. <Welcome> I read his article about them which inspired me to try them - mostly for stirring up my sand. They are really cool, both behaviorally as well as functionally. Now to my question. Or, I guess it's really more of an observation. I have had the Blueface angel for about 5 years now. I got him at about 4-5 inches with his full adult coloration which included the black eyespot on the rear top fin. As he has grown this eyespot has slowly faded and has now disappeared. It is totally non-existent now. I have seen pictures of wild specimens where this eyespot is still present on similarly very large full adult specimens such as mine is now. Does anyone know if this disappearance of the blueface's eyespot with age/growth is normal? Or, is it related to something else? <Interesting possibility... perhaps the "false eyespot" has utility in the wild (where there are more predators), but whatever mechanism for its expression is somehow lost in captivity...> Thanks for all you are doing for this hobby. Tom Duck <Thank you for sharing your experiences, opinions as well. Bob Fenner>

Blue Face Angel question Hello! I have a question regarding the Blue Face Angel ( Pomacanthus (Euxiphipops) xanthometopon). I have a juvenile, and trying to figure out what it will look like when it grows up :-) Your picture of one is here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pomacanthus/Pomacanthus.htm (about 3/4 down the page, 3 pics of different stages) But here is another: http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/blank/blpcontestjan03critter.htm (entry #6) <What is this?> There is quite a difference between the two - especially with the color orange on the fins and face of one, but not the other. Is one fish another type, one is male and the other female, or just an older specimen? I'm trying to show my kids what this "baby" will be, so any help you can give would be greatly appreciated! THANK YOU! -Cathy in Texas <>< <Sorry, don't follow where you're referring to. This species does display a good deal of intraspecific color variation... hence both common names, "Blue Face" "Yellow-Face"... Bob Fenner>
Blue Face Angel question (reply to Bob) Hello Bob! <Howdy> Sorry about that second link, it should have been: http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/blank/blpcontestjan03critter.htm <Ahh, I see> Which, by the way, I got from your Forums, one of your subscribers has a picture in a contest; but the one of the Blue Face Angel was my concern, as it looked different from yours. Thanks for the reply - Blue Face Angels can look different from each other? I'll just have to wait until mine grows up? Thanks! -Cathy in Texas <>< <This specimen is much more orange in the face (rather than yellow) than most... some from further west into the species distribution are more so... but this pic seems "modified" as well. Bob Fenner>

Angelfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care

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by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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