Angelfish Koran (Pomacanthus Semicirculatus) - Adult Form
Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus) - Adult Form
The adult Koran Angelfish, also known as the Semicircle Angelfish, is a majestic and hardy species that undergoes one of the most famous color transformations in the marine hobby. While juveniles feature the iconic "Arabic script" swirl pattern, adults develop a sophisticated, dusky brownish-green to yellow-green body speckled with blue. Their fins are elegantly edged in sapphire blue, with both the dorsal and anal fins ending in long, graceful trailing filaments.
Key Information
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Common Name: Koran Angelfish, Semicircle Angelfish, Half-circled Angelfish
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Scientific Name: Pomacanthus semicirculatus
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Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Red Sea and East Africa to Fiji and Australia)
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Max Size: 35–40 cm (approx. 15–16 inches)
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Lifespan: Up to 20 years with proper care
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Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial as it matures
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Diet: Omnivore – requires sponges, tunicates, marine algae, and meaty foods
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Care Level: Moderate to Difficult
Water Parameters
Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Hardness: 8–12 dKH
Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025
Minimum Tank Size: 680L–1000L+ (180–250+ Gallons)
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
Koran Angelfish are bold, active swimmers that often become the dominant fish in an aquarium. They are not reef-safe, as they will naturally nip at soft and stony corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. While they can be aggressive toward other angelfish or similarly shaped species, they generally coexist well with large, active tank mates such as Tangs, Wrasses, Triggerfish, and Groupers. They are best kept singly unless the aquarium is exceptionally large.
Ideal Tank Setup
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Spacious Environment: Requires a very large tank with a long horizontal swimming path for their active nature.
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Extensive Rockwork: Substantial live rock formations with large caves, cracks, and overhangs are crucial for hiding, sleeping, and grazing.
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Strong Filtration: Robust filtration and efficient protein skimming are necessary to handle the high bioload of a large-bodied omnivore.
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Established System: Thrives in a mature aquarium with natural algae and sponge growth to support its foraging instincts.
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Strong Oxygenation: Prefers strong water movement and high dissolved oxygen levels, mimicking their natural reef habitats.
Why Choose the Koran Angelfish (Adult)?
The adult Koran Angelfish is a "legacy" fish for large-scale marine systems, offering an impressive visual presence and a highly interactive personality. Its unique speckled blue aesthetic and long trailing fins make it a standout alternative to more common large angels. For an experienced hobbyist with a dedicated fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) display, the Koran provides a combination of hardiness, longevity, and intelligence that defines the experience of keeping a premier Indo-Pacific species.
Description
Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus) - Adult Form
The adult Koran Angelfish, also known as the Semicircle Angelfish, is a majestic and hardy species that undergoes one of the most famous color transformations in the marine hobby. While juveniles feature the iconic "Arabic script" swirl pattern, adults develop a sophisticated, dusky brownish-green to yellow-green body speckled with blue. Their fins are elegantly edged in sapphire blue, with both the dorsal and anal fins ending in long, graceful trailing filaments.
Key Information
-
Common Name: Koran Angelfish, Semicircle Angelfish, Half-circled Angelfish
-
Scientific Name: Pomacanthus semicirculatus
-
Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Red Sea and East Africa to Fiji and Australia)
-
Max Size: 35–40 cm (approx. 15–16 inches)
-
Lifespan: Up to 20 years with proper care
-
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial as it matures
-
Diet: Omnivore – requires sponges, tunicates, marine algae, and meaty foods
-
Care Level: Moderate to Difficult
Water Parameters
Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Hardness: 8–12 dKH
Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025
Minimum Tank Size: 680L–1000L+ (180–250+ Gallons)
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
Koran Angelfish are bold, active swimmers that often become the dominant fish in an aquarium. They are not reef-safe, as they will naturally nip at soft and stony corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. While they can be aggressive toward other angelfish or similarly shaped species, they generally coexist well with large, active tank mates such as Tangs, Wrasses, Triggerfish, and Groupers. They are best kept singly unless the aquarium is exceptionally large.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Spacious Environment: Requires a very large tank with a long horizontal swimming path for their active nature.
-
Extensive Rockwork: Substantial live rock formations with large caves, cracks, and overhangs are crucial for hiding, sleeping, and grazing.
-
Strong Filtration: Robust filtration and efficient protein skimming are necessary to handle the high bioload of a large-bodied omnivore.
-
Established System: Thrives in a mature aquarium with natural algae and sponge growth to support its foraging instincts.
-
Strong Oxygenation: Prefers strong water movement and high dissolved oxygen levels, mimicking their natural reef habitats.
Why Choose the Koran Angelfish (Adult)?
The adult Koran Angelfish is a "legacy" fish for large-scale marine systems, offering an impressive visual presence and a highly interactive personality. Its unique speckled blue aesthetic and long trailing fins make it a standout alternative to more common large angels. For an experienced hobbyist with a dedicated fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) display, the Koran provides a combination of hardiness, longevity, and intelligence that defines the experience of keeping a premier Indo-Pacific species.
