Home · Pomacanthidae · Black-velvet angelfish
Black-velvet angelfish (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma) — Pomacanthidae

Black-velvet angelfish

Chaetodontoplus melanosoma
Family: Pomacanthidae

The Black-velvet angelfish (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The black-velvet angelfish is an angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, dark-grey to black body with a yellow-edged tail and face. As a reef-dweller it lives on coral- and sponge-covered slopes to about thirty metres and eats sponges, tunicates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-velvet angelfish?

The Black-velvet angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Black-velvet angelfish live?

The Black-velvet angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Black-velvet angelfish get?

The Black-velvet angelfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Black-velvet angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-velvet angelfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-velvet angelfish edible?

Yes, the Black-velvet angelfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartfluweel-keizersvis sourced
English name
Black-velvet angelfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodontoplus melanosoma
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Black velvet angelfish; Blackvelvet angelfish; Black-velvet angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chaetodontoplus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →