What Are Some Adaptations of the Blue-Ringed Angelfish?

Blue-ringed angelfish stand out in an aquarium because of the bright blue rings that line their bodies and faces. It is impossible to tell the difference between male and female blue-ringed angelfish. The males are very aggressive and territorial, and they usually defend a group of females. Blue-ringed angelfish are able to change their bodies and habits to adapt to new environments and threats.

  1. Color Change

    • Blue-ringed angelfish go through a complete color adaptation from juvenile to adult. The juvenile is dark blue with thin white and light blue curved stripes. Adult blue-ringed angel fish are golden brown with brilliant blue stripes that are so bright they seem to glow. The juvenile blue-ringed angelfish look so different from the adults that they are often mistaken for other species of fish. It would seem that the bright blue rings on the adult would make the blue-ringed angelfish stand out, but it is actually able to blend with the coral to hide from predators.

    Territory

    • Blue-ringed angelfish seem shy when they are first introduced to a new environment, but once they adapt, they become extremely territorial. Blue-ringed angelfish are very aggressive, and they will fight with and nip at other angelfish. They are best kept as solo fish or with fish of the same species.

    Protracted Jaw

    • Blue-ringed angelfish mostly consume sponges for food. This is unusual because sponges are made of an indigestible framework made of calcium that is rough and has a bad taste. One of the adaptations of the angelfish is a protracted jaw covered in special teeth. They also secrete thick mucus around the sponge, making it edible for the angelfish. No other species of fish is able to use sponge to sustain life.

    Mating

    • Blue-ringed angelfish are almost always found swimming in male/female pairs, but their mating habits depend on the size of the population. If they are living in an area where there are not many blue-ringed angelfish, they will remain in pairs. If they enter an area where the blue-ringed angelfish species is more common, they will form harems with one male guarding several females.