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Emperor Angelfish

Imperator Angelfish Family: Pomacanthidae

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Pomacanthus imperator Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Emperor Angelfish, is unusually beautiful both as a juvenile and as an adult!

   Above is the adult coloration of the Emperor Angelfish . The juvenile is blue with white stripes, and looks similar to the Koran angelfish. (See the picture of the Koran angelfish)

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance:
   It is important that you feed angelfish all kinds of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. A good formula that can be made at home consists of mussels, shrimp, squid, and spinach.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   The Emperor Angelfish are found mainly on outer reefs of live coral, it is common on northern section of the Great Barrier Reef and also at New Guinea at depths from 1-25 meters (3-82 ft.). It is also found from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii.

Natural Foods:
   Emperor Angelfish eat mainly sponges with small amounts of algae, tunicates, hydroids, and bryozoans. A wide variety of sponges is eaten. Juveniles have been known to clean other fish of external parasites.

Social Behaviors:
   Found singly or in pairs. Generally peaceful in the aquarium but can be aggressive towards other Emperor Angelfish and other large angelfish species.

Sexual differences:
   Unknown.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Not accomplished in captivity. See Breeding Marine Fish page for a description of how they reproduce in the wild.

Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish lies between 75 and 79 degrees.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Emperor Angelfish adults can grow to 40 cm (16 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 100 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Buy Emperor Angelfish From LiveAquaria.com

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   No special requirements.

Availability:
   This fish is rarely available and is expensive.

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Latest Comments
I noticed a lot of people have posted that they have had their emperor angel for years and have had no signs of color change. I bought mine about a year ago as a juvenile and with in a few weeks noticed it start to change. Now almost a year later the change is almost complete. The only thing left is the black mask around the eyes. I don't know that I have done anything special or maybe I bought him right before he would have naturally started his change. I just thought this very interesting and maybe someone would know why mine changed when no one elses is. Dustin Harders 2009-05-07
They say you can't have more than one angel at a time. Well, I do. You must punish the aggressor by separation out side the tank for 15 min., then rearange teritories. The emperor is the best angel in my opinion. primo rosal 01-27-08 primo rosal 2008-01-27
Our Emperor Angelfish is about 2 yrs old, and only shows a bit of possible color changing. He/She is not skiddish at all, and has become the "Emperor" Of the tank (Sorry, couldn't resist). As always make sure that the specimen that you purchase comes from a distributor that is reputable. Mike 2008-01-13
This fish is expensive, but it's so cool. You should get one. It's worth every dollar. Will Carron 2007-07-30
My Emperor Angelfish was bought as a juvenile. It quickly acclimatised to eat all food including good quality marine flake. I kept it for four years but it never changed from its juvenile to adult colours. Joseph Lamb 2007-05-03

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Author: David Brough. CFS.