| Habitat | Reproduction |
| Behavior | Diver Interaction |

Scott Michael Photo

Alternate Common Names:

Family Name:
POMACANTHIDAE
Click Name for Family Profile

Size:
This species attains a maximum length of 38 cm (15.0 inches).

Distribution:
Red Sea to the Hawaiian (where it is very rare), Line Islands and the Tuamotus, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia and the Australs.

Habitat:
Juvenile emperor angelfish are solitary, occurring in crevices and holes on coral heads and in clear lagoons, reef channels and outer reef flats. In some areas, juveniles commonly associate with shrimp cleaning stations and may occasionally pick at the shrimp's clientele. As subadults, they migrate from more protected areas to the reef face, fore reef slope and surge channels. Large adults occur under ledges and in caves in coral rich lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes, 3 to 70 m (9.8 to 228 feet).

Distinguishing Characteristics:
The adults of this species have alternating yellow and blue-green (or darker) lines, a yellow tail, a black mask over the eyes with blue margins, and a dark bar behind the gill cover. Juveniles are dark overall, with white concentric rings. Transformation occurs over a size range of 8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 inches).

Remarks:
In adults from most areas of the Pacific the upper, rear edge of the dorsal fin is pointed and develops a long filament as the fish grows, while those from the Indian Ocean and Red Sea have a rounded dorsal fin, with no filament. These two forms overlap in distribution around Bali, Indonesia. There is also a rounded fin population found in the Line Islands.

References:
Allen et al. (1998), Thresher (1982)

There's more information available on this species! POMACANTHIDAE family description general behaviors reproduction behavior feeding characteristics best places to see this fish interaction with divers in-depth feature articles video clips More! To access the additional species profile information on this EMPEROR ANGELFISH (ADULT)  join CoralRealm by purchasing an annual membership. As a CoralRealm member you will also have full access to all our marine life encylopedia information, our in-depth feature articles written by subject matter experts and much more! A full-access non-expiring membership membership to CoralRealm is only $29.95! This one-time fee permits you access to all of our exclusive information. For more information on how to become a CoralRealm supporter and member CLICK HERE!

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