Why Do Juvenile Angelfish Swim Erratically?

A frequently asked question Biota receives is, "Why is my angelfish swimming like this? Is there something wrong?"

Captive bred fish have so many benefits - They're hardier, eat prepared foods well, and they're young age means they'll live their full lifespan in your aquarium. Another benefit is that we get to witness behaviors in juveniles we wouldn't normally be able to see in wild caught fish which are usually captured at older ages. We've had customers who have tanks that are 30 years old and have never witnessed an angelfish with their juvenile swimming behavior which is fascinating behavior to see.

Juvenile Pomacanthids and other angelfish exhibit erratic swimming behavior as a form of camouflage. This behavior helps them avoid predators in several ways:

Distraction and Confusion: Erratic movements can confuse predators, making it difficult for them to predict the fish's next move and successfully capture it.

Mimicking Unappealing Objects: The jerky and unpredictable swimming patterns can make the juveniles resemble floating debris or unpalatable organisms, like flatworms, which predators are less likely to pursue.

Inconspicuousness: Combined with their striking coloration and patterns, the erratic movements help break up their outline, making it harder for predators to detect and recognize them as prey.