Six Bar Angel (Pomacanthus Sexstriatus)

Also Known As: Six Banded Angelfish

Compatibility and Behavior
The Six Barred Angel is a big, bold fish with a presence to match. The adult body is a creamy tan to golden base overlaid with one bold white bar behind the head and five dark vertical bars, all dusted with iridescent blue spotting, plus vivid blue edging on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Juveniles look almost entirely different, nearly black with multiple narrow white and blue stripes that gradually resolve into the classic six-bar pattern as the fish matures. It's a rewarding transformation to watch in a large display. Temperament runs from semi-aggressive to aggressive, and this species can be strongly territorial toward other large angels and similarly shaped fish, particularly in confined spaces. Robust medium to large tankmates like tangs, larger wrasses, and sturdy butterflies tend to fare best, while timid species are likely to be bullied or outcompeted at feeding time. More than one large Pomacanthus in the same system is a significant undertaking that requires a very large, well-structured aquarium and careful thought about introduction order.

Reef safety is a firm no. The Six Barred Angel's natural diet includes sponges, tunicates, macroalgae, and coral polyps, and it will pick at clam mantles and other sessile invertebrates as well. This is a fish built for FOWLR and predator-style community systems, where it typically becomes the undisputed centerpiece, methodically cruising the rockwork and inspecting every surface for food.

Aquarium Requirements
The Six Barred Angel needs one of the most serious setups in the hobby. Adults can grow to 6 inches or more in captivity, so a 180-gallon tank is the practical minimum for a single adult. A long, wide footprint matters as much as raw volume, providing generous swimming lanes and multiple distinct rock zones that help diffuse territorial aggression. Aquascaping should include towering structures, caves, and overhangs that create both open areas and secure retreats, loosely mimicking the outer reef slopes and lagoons this species naturally inhabits. Strong biological filtration, efficient protein skimming, and high, well-oxygenated flow are non-negotiable given the bioload a large, active feeder like this puts on a system. Diet should be varied and consistent: sponge-based angelfish preparations as the foundation, rounded out with quality pellets, marine algae sheets, and a rotation of mysis, chopped shrimp, and marine fish flesh.

Specifications
Approximate Size: Approximate Size: Md: 3-4", Lg: 4-5"
Diet: Omnivore; sponge-based angelfish foods, macroalgae, mysis, chopped seafood, quality pellets
Origin: Indo-Pacific, from Sri Lanka to the Solomon Islands and Japan to Australia
Care Level: Moderate to difficult
Reef Safe: No; regularly nips at corals, sponges, and clam mantles
Temperament: Semi-aggressive to aggressive; strongly territorial toward other large angelfish
Minimum Tank Size:180 gallons
Special Considerations: Best kept as the sole large angelfish in the display; requires very large footprint, strong filtration, and high flow; suited to experienced aquarists with purpose-built FOWLR or predator systems