Emperor angelfish
(Pomacanthus imperator)
Facts
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IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)
Facts about this animal
The emperor angelfish is one of the best-known and most widespread angelfishes. It reaches a length of 40 cm. The distinguishing colour of the adult are a blue body crossed with diagonal yellow lines, a yellow tail, a light blue mouth and a blue-edged black band over the eyes. Juveniles are strikingly different having a pattern of concentric blue and white lines on a black body.
Emperor angelfish are relatively common and, as adults, inquisitive animals which may come quite close to divers. They are found on both coral and rocky reefs from shallow water down to depths of about 50 m. They live in pairs and swim about the reef with graceful unhurried movements. Although generally seen alone, the partner is usually nearby.
Emperor angelfish feed predominantly on encrusted sponges with algae but other invertebates are also eaten.
| Factsheet | |
|---|---|
| Class | ACTINOPTERYGII |
| Order | PERCIFORMES |
| Suborder | PERCOIDEI |
| Family | POMACANTHIDAE |
| Name (Scientific) | Pomacanthus imperator |
| Name (English) | Emperor angelfish |
| Name (French) | Poisson-ange empereur |
| Name (German) | Imperator-Kaiserfisch |
| Name (Spanish) | Pez ángel emperador |
| Local names | Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan bidadari Emperor |
| CITES Status | Not listed |
| CMS Status | Not listed |
Photo Copyright by
Albert Kok
Distribution
| Distribution | |
|---|---|
| Range | Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Western Pacific |
| Habitat | Coral reefs from surface to 100 m depth |
| Wild population | Unknown |
| Zoo population | Considering that most public aquaria are not part of the WAZA system and do not register their collections with ISIS, available ISIS data are not significant. |
In the Zoo
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How this animal should be transported
For air transport, Container Note 51 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
Fish must be unpacked carefully and under low illumination.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
Nick Hobgood
Why do zoos keep this animal
Emperor angelfish are not an endangered species but their habitats, coral reefs, are threatened in many places. They are thus presented by zoos and aquariums as an ambassador species for reef protection.