Pomacanthidae (angelfish) are among the most iconic of the coral reef fishes. With their bright colors, captivating patterns and flat, tall in structure body, they surely are the most majestic residents of the reef.
Certain species can reach a length of 60cm, while the smallest do not exceed 15cm. Most of juvenile angelfish has a drastically different color pattern than the adult. For example, juveniles’ emperor angelfish are dark blue with electric blue and white rings, while adults have bright yellow and blue horizontal stripes, with a dark mask covering the eyes.
Some angelfish species are noted to be inquisitive and curious towards snorkelers.
Over 80 species of angelfish are found in the Caribbean Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, most of them with very specific distribution areas.
French angelfish is one of the most abundant in the Caribbean, while emperor angelfish and regal angelfish are commonly seen while snorkeling the Indian and western Pacific Ocean.
The King angelfish occurs on the eastern Pacific Ocean, from the Gulf of California to coastal Peru, including the Galápagos Islands.
Queen angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
Blue angelfish
Holacanthus bermudensis
French angelfish
Pomacanthus paru
Gray angelfish
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Rock beauty
Holacanthus tricolor
Emperor angelfish
Pomacanthus imperator
Regal angelfish
Pygoplites diacanthus
Majestic angelfish
Pomacanthus navarchus
Blueface angelfish
Pomacanthus xanthometopon
Semicircle angelfish
Pomacanthus semicirculatus
Goldtail angelfish
Pomacanthus chrysurus
Sixbar angelfish
Pomacanthus sexstriatus
Yellowbar angelfish
Pomacanthus maculosus
Arabian angelfish
Pomacanthus asfur
Blue ring angelfish
Pomacanthus annularis
Vermiculated angelfish
Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus
Yellow-ear angelfish
Apolemichthys xanthotis
Threespot angelfish
Apolemichthys trimaculatus
Lemonpeel angelfish
Centropyge flavissima
Bicolor angelfish
Centropyge bicolor
Keyhole angelfish
Centropyge tibicen
King angelfish
Holacanthus passer
Cortez angelfish
Pomacanthus zonipectus
Check out our top10 snorkeling spots to see angelfish!
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