Description

The Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus Imperator) is a species of marine angelfish that are reef-associated fish, native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Some populations have been observed as far as southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, New Caledonia, Red Sea to Hawaii, and the Austral Islands. The Emperor Angelfish reaches a maximum size of 15.7″ inches. Juveniles have dark blue color with electric blue and white rings. And the adults exhibit yellow and blue strips, with black layer around the eyes. Emperor Angelfish take approximately 24-30 months for a juvenile Emperor Angelfish to acquire its adults coloring. It is a favorite among photographers, artists, and aquarists because of its unique, brilliant pattern of coloration.

The Emperor Angelfish primarily feeds on sponges and other encrusting organisms in the wild, but also likes tunicates, algae and vascular plants. In aquarium, sponges and tunicates are welcomed, but can also adapt their diet to various meaty foods such as shrimps. It can also eat fresh, frozen formula and dry food. Spirulina and marine algae are recommended as a supplement with meaty foods. Caution: Diet plays a crucial role in color transformation. An imbalanced diet can cause a delay or total failure in proper color transition from juveniles to adults. Therefore, juvenile to adult transition may not fully occur in an aquarium. Adult emperor angelfish can work as cleaners, removing the parasites from larger fish.