Page 257 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

ANGELFISH 255

Pomacanthus paru Pomacanthus xanthometopon
DISRUPTIVE CAMOUFLAGE
French Angelfish Blue-Faced Angelfish
To human eyes, the colorful striped
ORIGINS Northern area of the Gulf of Mexico south to ORIGINS Occurs on coral reefs throughout the patterning associated with many angelfish is
Brazil. Also recorded in the vicinity of Ascension Island. Indo-Pacific region. both striking and highly attractive. But in
SIZE 15 in (38 cm). SIZE 15 in (38 cm); 12 in (30 cm) in aquariums. the wild, such colorful patterning is crucial
DIET Animal-based foods plus plant matter. DIET Both plant matter and animal foods. to the survival of these fish because it breaks
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline up the outline of their body shapes. As a
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. result, especially when viewed from a
TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. distance, an angelfish’s distinctive markings
help it to blend in with the background of
The Blue-Faced Angelfish is difficult to wean onto its reef habitat, concealing its presence from
an artificial diet, so be prepared to offer a wide the eyes of predators. This phenomenon,
range of foods to assist this process. As with other which is the same as that used by animals
species, breeding in the home aquarium is unlikely such as tigers, is described by biologists as
to be successful. In the wild, external fertilization disruptive camouflage.
occurs, with the eggs floating and the fry then
developing in plankton near the surface. After a
month, they make their way back down to the reef.

Young French Angelfish are black with yellow
stripes. The adults are a duller grayish-black
flecked with yellow. The pictured fish is starting to
develop this coloration as its stripes fade. In the
wild, juveniles act as “cleaners,” removing parasites
from the adults. Their different appearance means Blue on
their advances are less likely to be seen as a threat. the face

Pomacanthus imperator
Emperor Angelfish

ORIGINS From the Red Sea eastward through the
Indo-Pacific to Japan, Hawaii, and Tahiti.
SIZE 16 in (40 cm).
DIET Consumes both animal and plant foods.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Domineering and territorial.
There is no obvious similarity in appearance
between the adult Emperor Angelfish, shown
here to the left of the picture, and the juvenile
pictured on the bottom right, which has dark
blue coloring and a pattern made up of
concentric, semicircular lines. Indeed,
they appear so different that up until
the 1930s, young Emperor Angelfish were
believed to be a separate species. Their
darker coloration may help them to
merge into the background of coral,
while mature individuals are much more
conspicuous, swimming readily over the reef. It is
best to start with young individuals, which should
adjust well to aquarium surroundings. As with
other large angelfish, Emperors should not be kept
in a reef aquarium, because they naturally prey on
a wide variety of invertebrates, from corals and
tubeworms to sea anemones.

US_254-255_Angelfish.indd 255 29/08/18 4:10 PM