Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)

This fish makes his home from the east coast of Africa to Hawaii and from Southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Juveniles (left picture) are found under ledges, or in holes of outer lagoon patch reefs or protected areas of exposed channels and outer reef flats. Sub-adults move to reef front holes and surge channels. Large adults (right picture) inhabit ledges and caves in areas of rich coral growth on clear lagoon, channel, or seaward reefs.

They prefer to feed on sponges, tunicates and other encrusting organisms. Young and adults may also clean much larger fishes such as sunfish.

Being a fairly calm Angelfish, they are a favorite in the aquarium trade and can often be seen in Indo-Pacific displays.