Emperor Angel Factfile

[Gillybaby]

Latin name: Pomacanthus imperator

Region of Origin: Red Sea, Indo-Pacific Ocean, New Guinea and Great Barrier Reef.

Max fish Size: 15" in the wild/ 12" in captivity (approx)

Minimum tank size required: 120g with plenty of open swimming space. Small juveniles may be kept in a sub-100g tank but will grow quickly and require more space. Only purchase this fish for a small tank if you are planning on upgrading or have another exit strategy.

Succeptable diseases: Very hardy fish when fed the correct diet; caught adults may waste away in captivity but juveniles adapt well.

Feeding requirements: Natural diet consists mainly of crustaceans, sponge, tunicates and some algae. Feed well on a good quality flakefood, nori sheets and mysis & krill soaked in vitamins. Angel specific foods which include sponge are good but ime not necessary.

Reef tank suitability: With extreme caution. As juveniles they are reef friendly but once the change to adulthood starts the diet changes too. Corals most likely to be snaffled include zoas, most lps, xenia/star polyps, leathers. Keeping the fish well fed and fat reduces the risk of picking at corals. Appear to be safer with SPS but haven't tried myself.

Other fish compatability: I'm not aware of any compatibility issues but they will become boss of the tank.

Miscellaneous: One of the most fasinating things about this angel is the change from juvenile to adulthood. The transformation takes approx 9 months but appears to be dependent on the size of the fish when it begins. The pictures above are of my angel: the first picture was taken in April 2006; the second in September 2006 shows the first signs of change; and the last one was taken in May 2007 (click the thumbnail for a bigger pic). Individuals from the Red Sea tend to have better colouration with orange tails but don't appear to develop the fin streamer. Can produce a clicking/grunting noise which is very loud and comical to watch :D

[mousehunter22]

WOW Gilly that is first class i find myself wanting one!!!!

But think il concentrate on saveing what ive got first:D

[mfcfan]

great read gilly stunning fish as my new tank is 94 gallon will have to give it a miss shame coz there gorgeous

steve :)

[moorish]

nice write up gilly,the one i kept loved to eat zoas,xenia he would also pick at leathers but dont bother most corals.derek

[Tangman]

Hi Gilly thats a good profile, i will pin it for you for future reference for others. Eric:D

[Gillybaby]

Ooo, thanks Eric. These fish are wonderful, couldn't do without ours now. But they do come with a huge caveat, but imho they are worth it ;)

[Blue]

Wicked info and great pics as usual, nice work Gilly :)

[d j]

really great read gilly just a shame it wont fit in my tank:p