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Angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus) — Pomacanthidae

Angelfish

Pomacanthus arcuatus
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–60.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The gray angelfish is an angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a deep, disc-shaped, grey body; juveniles are black with bright yellow bars and act as cleaners. It is common on coral reefs, usually solitarily and sometimes in pairs. As an omnivore it feeds mainly on sponges, supplemented with algae, bryozoans, tunicates and coral polyps. The gray angelfish closely resembles the French angelfish but is greyer with a straight tail margin. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angelfish?

The Angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Angelfish live?

The Angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Angelfish get?

The Angelfish grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Angelfish dangerous to humans?

The Angelfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Angelfish edible?

The Angelfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grijze keizersvis sourced
English name
Angelfish verified
Scientific name
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Angelfish; Gray angelfish; Gray Angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pomacanthus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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