Chaetodontoplus cephalareticulatus - T.B.

Chaetodontoplus cephalareticulatus, commonly known as the Maze angelfish, is a rare small/medium angelfish. This fish is so elusive in nature that it's not even sure that it's a separate species. A hybrid between C. melanosoma and C. septentrionalis or C. chrysocephalus have been mentioned, but no evidence for that is available at this moment. Other consider it a local variant of C. chrysocephalus. As juveniles these fish are very dark brown, almost black with a vertical yellow band like the first band of an anemonefish, a yellow stripe on the head and around the end of the dorsal and anal fin. The caudal fin is yellow except for one black vertical bar. As they get older the entire caudal fin becomes yellow and the yellow rims on the anal and dorsal fin remain. The head becomes yellow-orange which flows into the body and fades about half way. The back half usually gets a little more blueish as they get older and as the name cephalareticulatus suggests they get a blue reticulated pattern on the head which keeps reticulated all the way to the caudal fin, sometimes ending in small spots. An amazing and rare fish for the real angelfish enthusiastic!

Like all other angelfish it's hermaphroditic and the most dominant fish will turn into a male when there is no other male around. These fish are quite peaceful but be careful combining them with fish a lot smaller or larger and other (dwarf)angelfishes. In nature, sponges are an important part of their diet. Wild specimens acclimated easiest in a tank with a lot of sponges and live food. Tank bred specimens are familiar with dry food and are much easier to wean on frozen and dry food. These fish aren't considered reef safe and you need to be especially careful with ornamental sponges, LPS, tube worms and clams. Keeping them well fed seems to reduce the risk so make sure to feed them a proper varied diet of algae and meaty foods to make them really happy!

This fish is Tank Bred and will adapt to your aquarium easier compared to a wild caught specimen!