Common name: emperor angelfish

Synonyms and Other Names: imperial angelfish

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Juvenile emperor angelfish are blue-black with concentric white circles, a white dorsal-fin margin and a transparent caudal fin.  Adults have alternating thin yellow and blue stripes along the flanks, a greenish-yellow nape, a dark “mask” over the eyes and a light-blue snout.  The dorsal fin is edged in white; caudal fin is yellow; anal fin has light-blue stripes along a dark blue background.  Transformation from the juvenile to the adult color-pattern occurs at 8 to 12 cm TL.  Grows to 38 cm TL.  Also known as the imperial angelfish.  Dorsal fin XII-XIV (17-21), anal fin III (18-21); pectoral rays 19 to 20.  From Randall (1983 and 2005), Allen et al. (1998 and 2003), Myers (1999) and Pyle (2001).

Similar species: No Atlantic angelfish has horizontal stripes of any color.  Juvenile queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) and blue angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) have bright blue body bars.  Juvenile French angelfish (Holacanthus paru) and gray angelfish (Holacanthus arcuatus) have bright yellow body bars on black body.

 

Size: to about 40 cm SL (Froese and Pauly 2005)

Native Range: Throughout the Indo-West and Central Pacific region, excluding Easter Island, Rapa, and the Marquesas Islands.  Ranges from the East African coast and Red Sea to the Tuamotu, Line and (rarely) Hawaiian Islands southward to New Caledonia and north to southern Japan.  From Allen et al. (1998) and Pyle (2001).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: The emperor angelfish inhabits patch reefs and reef flats (often with rich coral growth) at depths from six to 60 m.  When disturbed, the species emits a peculiar knocking sound.  Juveniles are solitary, but as adults the species forms harems.  Maturity occurs around 25 cm (TL) for females and 28 cm (TL) for males. Average fecundity is 79,353 eggs ranging in size between 0.3-0.8 mm. The species feeds on sponges, algae and tunicates.  From Allen et al. (1998 and 2003), Randall et al. (1996), Myers (1999), Obota et al. 2016 and Pyle (2001).
 

Means of Introduction: Aquarium release.

Status: Unknown.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

References: (click for full references)

Allen, G. R., R. Steene and M. Allen.  1998.  A Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes.  Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research, Perth.

Allen, G., R. Steene, P. Humann and N. Deloach.  2003.  Reef Fish Identification.  Tropical Pacific.  New World Publications, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida and Odyssey Publications, El Cajon, California.

Golani, D., P. Salameh and O. Sonin. 2010. First record of the Emperor angelfish, Pomacanthus imperator (Teleostei: Pomacanthidae) and the second record of the spotbase burrfish Cyclichthys spilostylus (Teleostei: Diodontidae) in the Mediterranean. Aquatic Invasions 5(1): S41-S43.

Mundy, B. C.  2005.  Checklist of Fishes of the Hawaiian Archipelago.  Bishop Museum Bulletins in Zoology, Number 6. 

Myers, R. F.  1999.  Micronesian Reef Fishes.  A field guide for divers and aquarists.  Coral Graphics, Davie, FL.

Obota, C.O., B.M. Fulanda, G.M. Okemwa and E.N. Kimani. 2016. Reproductive biology and body condition of exploited populations of Emperor Angelfish, Pomacanthus imperator (Bloch, 1787) along the Kenyan Coast. Western Indian Journal of Marine Science 15(2):19-30.

Pyle, R.  2001.  Pomacanthidae.  Angelfishes.  pp. 3266-3286 In: Carpenter, K. E. and V. Niem (Eds.)  FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes.  The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific.  Vo. 5.  Bony fishes part 3 (Menidae to Pomacentridae).  FAO, Rome.

Randall, J. E.  1983.  Red Sea Fishes.  IMMEL Publishing, London.

Randall, J. E.  1996.  Caribbean Reef Fishes.  Third Edition.  TFH Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey.

Randall, J. E.  2005.  Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific.  New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands.  University of Hawai’i Press, Honolulu.

Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF).  2008.  Exotic species sighting programs and volunteer database. World wide web electronic publication. www.reef.org, date of download March 10, 2008.

Other Resources:
 

 

Author: Schofield, P.J.

Peer Review Date: 4/23/2009

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.