Emperor Angelfish
Pomacanthus imperator
Also known as Imperator Angelfish, Imperial Angelfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 15 in (38 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 185 gal (700 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Not reef safe
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Line, and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
A large, active, deliberate swimmer that becomes highly territorial as an adult, especially toward other angelfish, so it is kept one per tank unless the system is enormous. It grazes constantly on sponges, algae, and encrusting life and needs a spacious mature tank plus a sponge-rich varied diet. It is a difficult, demanding fish sensitive to water quality and prone to feeding and disease problems if rushed.
In the wild
Emperor angels live on clear coral-rich reefs, channels, and outer slopes across the Indo-Pacific, from shallow reef flats to about 100 metres. Juveniles hide in caves and holes on the reef while adults roam open reef territory. In the aquarium they need a very large mature tank with abundant live rock arranged into caves and overhangs for grazing and shelter.
Good to know
Pomacanthus imperator is one of the largest marine angelfish, reaching about 38 to 40 cm. Juveniles and adults look completely different: juveniles are dark blue with concentric white and electric-blue rings, while adults develop the iconic yellow-and-blue horizontal stripes with a dark mask. This dramatic ontogenetic color change once led early ichthyologists to describe the two forms as separate species.
Did you know
The juvenile's blue-and-white bullseye pattern is so different from the striped adult that hobbyists sometimes buy the two color phases thinking they are different fish. Captive-bred emperors are now available and adapt better than wild-caught specimens.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
- Biota Captive-bred marine fish, corals and clams shipped direct
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Saltwater fish · Saltwater angelfish · Advanced fish · FOWLR fish
Keeping Emperor Angelfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Blueface Angelfish
Pomacanthus xanthometopon15 in (38 cm)219 gal (830 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Asfur Angelfish
Pomacanthus asfur15.7 in (40 cm)135 gal (510 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Koran Angelfish
Pomacanthus semicirculatus15.7 in (40 cm)132 gal (500 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
French Angelfish
Pomacanthus paru16.1 in (41 cm)201 gal (760 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Annularis Angelfish
Pomacanthus annularis17.7 in (45 cm)219 gal (830 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Majestic Angelfish
Pomacanthus navarchus11.8 in (30 cm)145 gal (550 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)