Pomacanthus imperator

Taxonomical systematics

Scientific name

Pomacanthus (Pomacanthodes) imperator (Bloch 1787)

Synonyms

Chaetodon imperator Bloch 1787

Common names

Emperor Angelfish,

Subgenus

Pomacanthodes Gill, 1862

Genus

Pomacanthus Lacepède, 1803

Family

Pomacanthidae

Order

Perciformes

Class

Actinopterygii

Phylum

Chordata

Local ecology

Distribution

Tropical Western Pacific Ocean, Great Barrier Reef, Tropical Eastern Indian Ocean, Northern and Western Indian Ocean, Red Sea. (Found in Sydney)

Habitat

Adults found singularly or in pairs near ledges and caves in rich coral areas (Randall et al, 1997; Allen et al, 1998). Juveniles often found on shallow reefs under ledges or in holes (Allen et al, 1998).

Biological characteristics

Maximum size

38cm TL

Wild foods

Sponges and other encrusting organisms (FishBase).

Juvenile Emperor Anglefish (Pomacanthus imperator) in the aquarium

Adult Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) on the reef at Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

References

Allen G.R., Steene R. and Allen M. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research, Perth, Australia. 250pp.

Randall J.E., Allen G.R. and Steene R.C. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Publishing, Bathurst, Australia. 557pp.

Links

FishBase