Rock Beauty Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor)

The Rock Beauty (Holacanthus tricolor) is a stunning Caribbean angelfish with a bold two-tone pattern — bright yellow on the head and posterior fading to a solid black body. One of the most distinctive appearances of any marine fish. Notoriously difficult to feed in captivity as its natural diet consists heavily of sponges, making transition to prepared foods challenging. Best kept by advanced hobbyists prepared for specialist dietary approaches.

Minimum 400 L mature FOWLR with abundant live rock and sponge growth. pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.020–1.025, temperature 21–26°C. Offer sponge-based angel formula, Ocean Nutrition Angel Formula, mysis, and spirulina. Start with live sponge fragments if available; transition slowly to prepared foods. Semi-aggressive with other large angels. Very long-lived when diet is mastered.