Yellowmask angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pomacanthus xanthometopon
- Common name
- Yellowmask angelfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Genus
- Pomacanthus
- Size
- 30–38 cm
- Depth
- 5–45 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Pomacanthus xanthometopon reaches 38 cm. Body covered with scales forming golden mosaic on blue background with yellow posterior edge, characteristic electric blue face mask, yellow forehead. Juveniles white-black-blue very different. Lives from 5 to 45 m on coral reefs rich in shelters and caves of western Indo-Pacific (Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines). Solitary and shy, difficult to approach. Sought-after photo subject for spectacular pattern and discreet behavior.
Photo of Yellowmask angelfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellowmask angelfish?
- Yellowmask angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon) reaches 30–38 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellowmask angelfish?
- Yellowmask angelfish is found between 5–45 m deep.
- Is the Yellowmask angelfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellowmask angelfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellowmask angelfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Pomacanthus
- Pomacanthus paru - French angelfish
- Pomacanthus arcuatus - Gray angelfish
- Pomacanthus maculosus - Yellowbar angelfish
- Pomacanthus imperator - Emperor angelfish
- Pomacanthus navarchus - Majestic 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 276027)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2396411)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia