Subipedia
ANGELFISHES
ANGELFISHES
The Emporer angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) shortly emporer named is a kind of the species Pomacanthus from the family of the emporer angelfishes (Pomacanthus). They grow to 40 centimeters long and up to 14 years old.
Emperor angelfish make a fascinating color change:
Juvenile fish
Age a few months, size approx. 5 cm.
The fry are dark blue in color with concentric white and light blue rings, the center of which is just in front of the base of the tail.
The young animals were previously described as a separate species Pomacanthus nicobariensis.
From juvenile to adult
After about 9 months he has reached the size of about 15cm and the color change from young (juvenile) to adult (adult) begins.
This takes place within just a few weeks.
Please note the circle with the line near the tail fin and the beginning color change from white to yellow.
Adult Emperor Angelfish
The emperor can grow up to 45cm tall. This makes it one of the largest in the angelfish genus.
The most important feature of the Emperor Angelfish is a strong, backward-facing spine on the lower edge of the gills. This spine distinguishes all angelfish from the quite similar butterflyfish.
As with almost all angelfish, there is a wide and very dark colored blindfold over the eye. The reason is simple. This is intended to hide the eye so that potential enemies cannot see it.
Way of life, habitat, occurrence:
Its habitat is coral reefs in water depths of up to approx. 25-50 meters. The angelfish usually live together in pairs (sometimes three). They live in caves and form extremely large territories that are aggressively defended. If they feel threatened, they can make grunts and use the thorn as a weapon to defend themselves.
The distribution area of the emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) is the Indo-Pacific: it can be found from the Red Sea to Hawaii. Likewise in the Indo-Pacific, in the northern Great Barrier Reef and around New Guinea.
Photos: Johann Vifian
Sources: Wikipedia / Lieske coral reef guide