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Yellowface angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon) — Pomacanthidae

Yellowface angelfish

Pomacanthus xanthometopon
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Yellowface angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The yellowface angelfish is a large angelfish from the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the Maldives to Vanuatu, north to Japan and in Micronesia. The species grows to about 38 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body with blue and yellow markings and a striking yellow mask around the face. It lives in coral-rich lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes between 5 and 30 metres depth, often near caves, and feeds on sponges and other encrusting organisms. Like many angelfishes the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowface angelfish?

The Yellowface angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Yellowface angelfish live?

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

How big does the Yellowface angelfish get?

The Yellowface angelfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Yellowface angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowface angelfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellowface angelfish edible?

The Yellowface angelfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelmasker-keizersvis verified
English name
Yellowface angelfish verified
Scientific name
Pomacanthus xanthometopon
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Blueface angelfish; Blue-face angelfish; Bluefaced angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

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 verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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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