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Angel fish (Pomacanthus imperator) — Pomacanthidae

Angel fish

Pomacanthus imperator
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angel fish (Pomacanthus imperator) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–100.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The emperor angelfish is a large, beautifully marked angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm; adults have a blue body with numerous yellow horizontal stripes and a blue-black eye mask, while juveniles are deep blue with concentric white and light-blue rings - a pattern so different that juvenile and adult were long regarded as separate species. Juveniles shelter under ledges and in holes of outer lagoons. As an omnivore it feeds mainly on sponges and tunicates. The emperor angelfish is a popular reef dweller and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angel fish?

The Angel fish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Angel fish live?

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

How big does the Angel fish get?

The Angel fish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Angel fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Angel fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Angel fish edible?

The Angel fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Keizersvis sourced
English name
Angel fish verified
Scientific name
Pomacanthus imperator
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Angelfish; Emperor; Emperor angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
14.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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
Harmless 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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