French angelfish (Pomacanthus paru)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pomacanthus paru
- Common name
- French angelfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Genus
- Pomacanthus
- Size
- 30–41 cm
- Depth
- 3–100 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- pair-bonding, curious
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Pomacanthus paru reaches 41 cm. Disc-shaped black body with scales edged in golden yellow, creating a striking lattice pattern. Juveniles look very different: black with wide yellow bands. Lives in long-term pairs on coral reefs from 3 to 100 m. Curious, often approaches divers. Feeds on sponges and algae. Iconic of the Caribbean.
Photo of French angelfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the French angelfish?
- French angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) reaches 30–41 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the French angelfish?
- French angelfish is found between 3–100 m deep.
- Is the French angelfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the French angelfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the French angelfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Pomacanthus
- Pomacanthus arcuatus - Gray angelfish
- Pomacanthus xanthometopon - Yellowmask angelfish
- Pomacanthus zonipectus - Cortez angelfish
- Pomacanthus navarchus - Majestic angelfish
- Pomacanthus striatus - Old Woman angelfish
- Pomacanthus sexstriatus - Six-barred Angelfish
Other species in the family Pomacanthidae
- Holacanthus ciliaris - Queen angelfish
- Centropyge aurantonotus - Flameback angelfish
- Holacanthus tricolor - Rock beauty
- Centropyge bicolor - Bicolor angelfish
- Pygoplites diacanthus - Regal angelfish
- Centropyge acanthops - African flameback angelfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 276025)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2396447)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia