• Angelfish Watanabei (Genicanthus Watanabei) - Male
Angelfish Watanabei (Genicanthus Watanabei) - Male
Angelfish Watanabei (Genicanthus Watanabei) - Male
Sold Out

Angelfish Watanabei (Genicanthus Watanabei) - Male

Photos are for reference only and show what the livestock should look like. You can request actual photo via the website chat (bottom right corner)

Door-to-door shipping is available for metro areas only

It is the customer’s responsibility to be available to receive delivery

Delivery delays or missed deliveries may void DOA (Dead on Arrival) claims

If we believe a livestock is not fit for transport, we will contact you to arrange an alternative, delay, or cancellation

$180.00

Taxes included.

Select The Options Above
Description

Watanabe’s Angelfish - Male (Genicanthus watanabei)

The male Watanabe’s Angelfish is a striking and highly sought-after specimen in the marine aquarium hobby. While the females are elegant in their simplicity, the males undergo a dramatic visual transformation, developing a complex pattern of horizontal black and orange-to-gold stripes along the lower half of their shimmering pale-blue bodies. As a member of the Genicanthus genus, it is a true planktivore, making it 100% reef-safe as it has no biological interest in nipping at corals or clams.

Key Information

  • Common Name: Watanabe’s Angelfish, Watanabe’s Lyretail Angel (Male)

  • Scientific Name: Genicanthus watanabei

  • Origin: Western and Central Pacific (Taiwan to the Tuamotu Islands)

  • Max Size: 15–18 cm

  • Lifespan: 10–15 years

  • Temperament: Peaceful; reef-safe

  • Diet: Planktivore – requires frequent feedings of mysis, brine shrimp, and high-quality pellets

  • Care Level: Moderate (Sensitive to decompression issues and bright light)

Water Parameters

Temperature: 22–26°C

pH: 8.1–8.4

Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025

Minimum Tank Size: 450L+ (120 Gallons+)

Behaviour & Tank Compatibility

The male Watanabe’s is an active, open-water swimmer that acts as a fantastic dither fish, encouraging more timid species to venture out. Unlike most angelfish, they are not territorial toward other genera and are exceptionally peaceful. In a large enough system, a single male can be kept with a harem of multiple females. They are compatible with almost all reef inhabitants, from delicate SPS corals to small ornamental shrimp.

Ideal Tank Setup

  • Swimming Space: Requires large, unobstructed horizontal lanes to accommodate its constant swimming.

  • Lighting: As a deep-water species, they are sensitive to intense reef lighting. Provide shaded overhangs and acclimate them slowly to high-PAR environments.

  • Rockwork: Use substantial live rock to create caves for sleeping, but keep the center of the tank open for the water column.

  • Oxygenation: High water flow and strong surface agitation are vital for their high metabolic needs.

  • Stable Salinity: They are less tolerant of salinity swings than shallow-water dwarf angels.

Why Choose the Watanabe’s Angelfish (Male)?

The male Watanabe’s Angelfish is one of the few ways to add bold, horizontal patterns and an "angelfish silhouette" to a reef tank without risking your coral collection. Their sophisticated palette of ice-blue, black, and gold is unlike any other fish in the trade. Because they are often collected from depths of 30–80 meters, they are considered a "prestige" fish that brings a unique deep-reef aesthetic to a mature home aquarium.