Xanthurus Cream Angelfish

Xanthurus Cream Angelfish: The Indian Ocean Beauty

The Xanthurus Cream Angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthurus), also frequently sold as the Indian Yellowtail Angelfish or Cream Angelfish, is a highly regarded and relatively hardy choice among the medium-sized marine angelfishes. It is native to the Western Indian Ocean, with populations around Mauritius, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the eastern coast of India.

Its striking coloration matures from a juvenile pattern of dark bars into a beautiful adult presentation: a cream or pale gold body covered in a delicate, dark, lattice-like pattern on the scales. This is contrasted by a brilliant yellow caudal (tail) fin and a white-bordered black dorsal and anal fin.

The Xanthurus Cream Angelfish adapts well to aquarium life, making it a good choice for intermediate aquarists with large fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) systems.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This is an Omnivore with a natural diet consisting of algae, sponges, and small crustaceans. In the aquarium, a diverse diet is crucial for health and to curb potential nipping behavior. Offer high-quality marine flakes and pellets, Spirulina-enriched foods, frozen preparations for herbivores (like seaweed and algae sheets), and meaty foods (mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped squid).
• Aquarium Environment: A minimum tank size of 125 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space and territory. Provide plenty of live rock structures with caves and crevices for grazing and hiding, as the fish can be shy when first introduced.
• Reef Compatibility: It is generally considered Reef Safe With Caution. This species is prone to nipping at the mantles of large clams (Tridacna spp.) and may sample certain stony (LPS/SPS) and soft corals. The likelihood of nipping often decreases with consistent and abundant feeding of appropriate foods.
• Temperament: It is Semi-Aggressive and generally peaceful toward most tankmates, but it will be territorial toward other angelfish, especially those of the same genus (Apolemichthys). It should be kept singly and is best housed with other active or semi-aggressive fish, such as tangs, large wrasses, and puffers. Avoid keeping with smaller, very placid fish.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Apolemichthys xanthurus
• Primary Common Name: Xanthurus Cream Angelfish
• Other Common Names: Indian Yellowtail Angelfish, Cream Angelfish, Yellowtail Black Angelfish
• Origin: Western Indian Ocean (Maldives, Sri Lanka, India)
• Max Size: Up to 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Territorial
• Diet: Omnivore (Requires a mixed diet of sponges, algae, and meaty foods)
• Minimum Tank Size: 125 Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: With Caution (May nip clams, soft corals, and LPS)