Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
General Description: The Emperor Angelfish, also called the Imperator Angelfish, is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the Red Sea to Hawaii and the Austral Islands. This stunning large angel has a bold, blue body covered with bright yellow horizontal stripes and a bright yellow to orange tailfin. A bold blue-black mask covers the eyes and a similarly-colored vertical band extends from the pectoral fin two-thirds of the way up the body. This band is highlighted in a sapphire-blue in front, and bright yellow towards the rear. Juveniles are black with circular white and blue stripes starting at the tail. Juvenile Emperor angels are most often confused with juvenile Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus), however juvenile Koran angelfish have more of a striped pattern rather than the semicircle pattern. The changing sub-adult angelfish will vary in coloration and pattern as it transforms from juvenile to the adult coloration. Fully grown adults can reach 16 inches in length.
Diet Requirements: In the wild this angel’s diet comprises sponges and other encrusting organisms, as well as tunicates.They should be fed a diet of Spirulina, Chlorella, marine sheet algae, high-quality angelfish preparations with sponge, mysis or frozen enriched shrimp, and other meaty items.
Care Requirements: The Emperor angelfish requires a 200 gallon or larger tank, with an 18+ inch width and live rock for grazing and hiding. They also require extensive rockwork and deep caves to feel secure. They are considered semi-aggressive towards other fish and care must be taken when mixing with other large angels. It will nip at stony and soft corals and clams, but tends to ignore small polyped stony corals and some soft corals. They would be considered reef safe with caution depending on the specific coral inhabitants. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.Â
Purchase Size: Juvenile Medium: 1-3/4″ to 2-3/4″; Large: 3″ to 4-1/4″; SubAdult or Changing Medium: 3″ to 3-3/4″; Large: 4″ to 5″; Adult Medium: 3-3/4″ to 5-1/4″; Large: 5-1/2″ to 6-3/4″; XLarge: 7″ or larger.
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.Â
