Emperor Angelfish Pomacanthus imperator

Also known as the Imperator Angelfish. Like many members of the Pomacanthus genus, adults and juveniles have different colour morphs.

Adult Emperor Angels have bold blue bodies, adorned with bright yellow, thin stripes. Dark bands with electric blue trim, mask the Angels’ eyes and pectoral fins. The adults also have a pure white face and a white streak along their dorsal. They have yellow heads and a bright yellow dorsal fin. Comparatively, Juvenile Emperor Angels have dark blue bodies and are covered in white stripes. Near the tail, the stripes become circles, which envelop each other, resembling rings of a ripple. Sub adult Emperors are morphing between these two phases.

The Emperor Angels’ geographic range is in the Indo – Pacific Ocean. The East African coast and Red Sea is where these fish are common. Their northern limit is Japan and the Ogasawara Islands, while their southern limit is the: Great Barrier Reef, the Austral Islands and New Caledonia. Reports of these fish being around: Hawaiian, Line and Tuamoto islands have also been made.

In nature, Emperor Angels graze on sessile invertebrates and macroalgae. This makes them unsuitable for marine aquariums with coral. However, it may be possible to keep some carefully selected coral species in the same tank as the 

Emperor Angelfish are omnivores and do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept frozen Mysis shrimp and enriched frozen brine shrimp They will graze on marine algae that can be secured to the side of the tank with clips. Over time they will accept high quality pellet or flake.