Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pomacanthus imperator
- Common name
- Emperor angelfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Genus
- Pomacanthus
- Size
- 30–40 cm
- Depth
- 1–100 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, territorial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Pomacanthus imperator reaches 40 cm. Adults have alternating horizontal electric-blue and vivid-yellow stripes, black mask across the eyes, black blue-edged patch behind the head. Juveniles completely different: deep black adorned with concentric blue and white circles. Solitary, territorial on Indo-Pacific reefs from 1 to 100 m. One of the most iconic and photogenic angelfishes of tropical waters.
Photo of Emperor angelfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Emperor angelfish?
- Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) reaches 30–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Emperor angelfish?
- Emperor angelfish is found between 1–100 m deep.
- Is the Emperor angelfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Emperor angelfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Emperor angelfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Pomacanthus
- Pomacanthus paru - French angelfish
- Pomacanthus arcuatus - Gray angelfish
- Pomacanthus maculosus - Yellowbar angelfish
- Pomacanthus navarchus - Majestic angelfish
- Pomacanthus xanthometopon - Yellowmask angelfish
- Pomacanthus zonipectus - Cortez angelfish
Other species in the family Pomacanthidae
- Holacanthus ciliaris - Queen angelfish
- Holacanthus tricolor - Rock beauty
- Pygoplites diacanthus - Regal angelfish
- Centropyge aurantonotus - Flameback angelfish
- Centropyge bicolor - Bicolor angelfish
- Holacanthus passer - King angelfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 220001)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2396426)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia