Cream Angelfish

The Cream Angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthurus) is an Indian Ocean angelfish known for a cream body with a dark “lattice” scale pattern, a darker face and fin edging, and a yellow tail. It’s also sold as the Xanthurus Cream Angelfish or Indian Yellowtail Angelfish.

What You’ll Observe:

• A steady “patrol” pattern—looping through open water, then returning to the same rockwork lanes
• Frequent grazing and pecking at live rock surfaces between feedings
• A favorite cave or overhang that becomes its regular home base
• More confident, out-in-front behavior once it recognizes the feeding routine
• Short, direct interactions with tankmates as it establishes personal space

Provide plenty of mature live rock and multiple caves so it can graze and settle into a predictable route through the aquascape. Offer a varied menu that includes marine algae plus angelfish-focused foods (especially sponge-based preparations) alongside mysis and other meaty items. With an established routine and consistent feeding, it typically becomes a visible, day-active centerpiece fish.

Will it usually bother zoanthids, fleshy LPS, or clams first?
Many keepers report the most interest in soft, fleshy targets (including clam mantles) rather than hard, smooth surfaces, but each individual fish varies. A consistent feeding routine often reduces “sampling” behavior.

Can it be kept with another angelfish?
It can work in systems with clearly separated territories and plenty of visual breaks in the rockwork. Pairing different body shapes/genera and introducing with a thoughtful order tends to produce better long-term results.

Does the juvenile look different from the adult?
Yes—juveniles commonly show a darker facial/band pattern that fades as the fish matures, shifting toward the cream-and-lattice adult look.

What foods get it eating quickly after introduction?
Many start best on familiar frozen foods (like mysis) and then transition smoothly when sponge-based angelfish blends and sheets of marine algae are offered regularly.

Is it normal for this angelfish to “vanish” into the rocks at night?
Yes. It’s common for it to pick a specific crevice to sleep in and return to that same spot when the lights go down.

We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.