Family

Common name: Angelfishes

Scientific name: Pomacanthidae

Pomacanthidae, commonly known as angelfishes, are a family of vibrant and strikingly beautiful marine fish found predominantly in the shallow reefs of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. These fish are renowned for their vivid colors and intricate patterns, making them a popular choice among reef aquarium enthusiasts. Angelfish possess laterally compressed bodies and a distinctive dorsal fin that often extends into elegant filaments, contributing to their graceful appearance.

One of the most fascinating aspects of angelfish is their complex social behavior and territorial nature. Many species exhibit fascinating color changes as they mature, with juveniles often displaying different patterns and hues compared to adults. This can be particularly intriguing for hobbyists who enjoy observing these transformations over time. However, their territorial behavior means that they can be aggressive towards other fish, especially if the tank is overcrowded or lacks sufficient hiding spots.

Angelfish have specific dietary requirements that must be met to ensure their health and longevity. They are omnivorous, feeding on a mix of algae, sponges, and small invertebrates in the wild. In captivity, they thrive on a varied diet that includes high-quality marine flake food, frozen or live brine shrimp, and spirulina. Providing a balanced diet is crucial, as poor nutrition can lead to health issues such as lateral line erosion.

When considering angelfish for a home aquarium, it's important to research the specific species, as they vary in size, temperament, and care requirements. Some species, like the dwarf angelfishes, are more suitable for smaller tanks, while others, such as the Pomacanthus imperator and Pygoplites diacanthus, require larger environments to accommodate their size and territorial nature. With proper care and attention to their needs, angelfish can be a stunning and rewarding addition to a marine aquarium.

  1. Bandit Angelfish on coral reef
    Common name: Bandit Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys arcuatus
  2. Common name: Armitage's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys armitagei
  3. Common name: Griffis Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys griffisi
  4. Common name: Reunion Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys guezei
  5. Rare and expensive Tiger Angelfish (Apolemichthys kingi)
    Common name: Tiger Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys kingi
  6. Three-spot Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus), Komodo, Indonesia
    Common name: Three-spot Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys trimaculatus
  7. Goldflake Angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus)
    Common name: Goldflake Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus
  8. Yellow-ear Angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthotis) in the Red Sea, Egypt
    Common name: Yellow-ear Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys xanthotis
  9. Common name: Yellowtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Apolemichthys xanthurus
  10. African Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge acanthops)
    Common name: African Flameback Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge acanthops
  11. Cherub Angelfish (Centropyge argi) from the Caribbean
    Common name: Cherub Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge argi
  12. Golden Angelfish (Centropyge aurantia)
    Common name: Golden Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge aurantia
  13. Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus)
    Common name: Flameback Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge aurantonotus
  14. Bicolor Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor)
    Common name: Bicolor Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge bicolor
  15. Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)
    Common name: Coral Beauty Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge bispinosa
  16. Peppermint Angelfish (Centropyge boylei)
    Common name: Peppermint Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge boylei
  17. Colin’s Angelfish or Cocos-Keeling Angelfish (Centropyge colini)
    Common name: Colin's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge colini
  18. Common name: Blue Mauritius Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge debelius
  19. Eibli Angelfish (Centropyge eibli)
    Common name: Eibli Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge eibli
  20. Rusty Angelfish (Centropyge ferrugata) in Japan
    Common name: Rusty Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge ferrugata
  21. Fisher's Angelfish (Centropyge fisheri)
    Common name: Fisher's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge fisheri
  22. Common name: Yellowfin Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge flavipectoralis
  23. Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissimus) feeding on coral polyps. Kritimati Island, Kribati
    Common name: Lemonpeel Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge flavissima
  24. Herald's Angelfish (Centropyge heraldi)
    Common name: Herald's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge heraldi
  25. Common name: Blackear Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge hotumatua
  26. The Beautiful Japanese Angelfish (Centropyge interruptus), Hirizohama Beach
    Common name: Japanese Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge interrupta
  27. Joculator Angelfish (Centropyge joculator)
    Common name: Joculator Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge joculator
  28. Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula), Kosrae Micronesia
    Common name: Flame Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge loriculus
  29. Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)
    Common name: Multicolor Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge multicolor
  30. Common name: Dusky Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge multispinis
  31. Common name: Nahacky's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge nahackyi
  32. Common name: Narc Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge narcosis
  33. Common name: Blackspot Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge nigriocella
  34. Midnight Angelfish (Centropyge nox)
    Common name: Midnight Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge nox
  35. Potter's Angelfish (Centropyge potteri) from Hawaii
    Common name: Potter's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge potteri
  36. Common name: Resplendent Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge resplendens
  37. Shepard's Angelfish (Centropyge shepardi)
    Common name: Shepard's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge shepardi
  38. Keyhole Angelfish (Centropyge tibicen)
    Common name: Keyhole Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge tibicen
  39. Juvenile Purplemask Angelfish (Centropyge venusta)
    Common name: Purplemask Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge venusta
  40. Pearlscale Angelfish (Centropyge vrolikii)
    Common name: Pearlscale Angelfish
    Scientific name: Centropyge vrolikii
  41. Common name: Ballina Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus ballinae
  42. Blue-spotted Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus)
    Common name: Blue-spotted Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus
  43. Common name: Orangeface Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus chrysocephalus
  44. Conspicuous Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus)
    Common name: Conspicuous Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus
  45. Scribbled Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus duboulayi) from Australia
    Common name: Scribbled Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus duboulayi
  46. Common name: Black Velvet Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus melanosoma
  47. Common name: Queensland Yellowtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus meredithi
  48. Vermiculated Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus) in Raja Ampat
    Common name: Vermiculated Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus
  49. Common name: Black Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus niger
  50. Common name: Personifer Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus personifer
  51. Common name: Greytail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus poliourus
  52. Blue-striped Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis)
    Common name: Blue-striped Angelfish
    Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis
  53. Female Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus)
    Common name: Bellus Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus bellus
  54. Male Zebra Angelfish (Genicanthus caudovittatus)
    Common name: Zebra Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus caudovittatus
  55. Blackstriped Angelfish or Lamarck's Angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck)
    Common name: Blackstriped Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus lamarck
  56. Male Swallowtail or Blackspot Angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos)
    Common name: Swallowtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus melanospilos
  57. Masked Angelfish (Genicanthus personatus)
    Common name: Masked Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus personatus
  58. Common name: Halfbanded Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus semicinctus
  59. Male Japanese Swallow (Genicanthus semifasciatus)
    Common name: Japanese Swallow
    Scientific name: Genicanthus semifasciatus
  60. Common name: Pitcairn Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus spinus
  61. Common name: Takeuchi's Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus takeuchii
  62. Male Blackedged Angelfish (Genicanthus watanabei)
    Common name: Blackedged Angelfish
    Scientific name: Genicanthus watanabei
  63. Guinean Angelfish or West African Angelfish (Holacanthus africanus)
    Common name: Guinean Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus africanus
  64. Blue Angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) on coral reef
    Common name: Blue Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus bermudensis
  65. Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
    Common name: Queen Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus ciliaris
  66. Adult Clarion Angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis)
    Common name: Clarion Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus clarionensis
  67. Common name: Clipperton Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus limbaughi
  68. King Angelfish (Holacanthus passer)
    Common name: King Angelfish
    Scientific name: Holacanthus passer
  69. Rock Beauty (Holacanthus tricolor)
    Common name: Rock Beauty
    Scientific name: Holacanthus tricolor
  70. Barred Angelfish (Paracentropyge multifasciata), Raja Ampat, Indonesia
    Common name: Barred Angelfish
    Scientific name: Paracentropyge multifasciata
  71. Blue Ring Angelfish (Pomacanthus annularis)
    Common name: Blue Ring Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus annularis
  72. Gray Angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus), Caribbean
    Common name: Gray Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus arcuatus
  73. Arabian Angelfish (Pomacanthus asfur)
    Common name: Arabian Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus asfur
  74. Goldtail Angelfish (Pomacanthus chrysurus)
    Common name: Goldtail Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus chrysurus
  75. Adult & juvenile Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
    Common name: Emperor Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus imperator
  76. Yellowbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus), Red Sea, Egypt
    Common name: Yellowbar Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus maculosus
  77. Majestic Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus)
    Common name: Majestic Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus navarchus
  78. French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru)
    Common name: French Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus paru
  79. Subadult Old Woman Angelfish (Pomacanthus rhomboides), juvenile stripes and coloration still clearly visible
    Common name: Old Woman Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus rhomboides
  80. Koran Angelfish or Semicircular Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus), Raja Ampat, Indonesia
    Common name: Koran Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus semicirculatus
  81. Sixbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus sexstriatus)
    Common name: Sixbar Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus sexstriatus
  82. Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon)
    Common name: Blueface Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus xanthometopon
  83. Cortez Angelfish (Pomacanthus zonipectus) feeding in a shipwreck. Sea of Cortez, Pacific ocean. Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
    Common name: Cortez Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pomacanthus zonipectus
  84. Regal Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) from the Red Sea or Indian Ocean
    Common name: Regal Angelfish
    Scientific name: Pygoplites diacanthus