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Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus) — Pomacanthidae

Angelfish

Pomacanthus navarchus
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–40.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The majestic angelfish is a spectacularly coloured marine angelfish from the Western Pacific. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a deep body with a deep-blue front, an orange-yellow rear half and blue margins. On the gill cover it bears a strong spine, characteristic of angelfishes. As a reef-dweller it grazes sponges, tunicates and algae from the reef. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angelfish?

The Angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Deep blue and orange-yellow body with an opercular spine; reef-grazing angelfish

Where does the Angelfish live?

The Angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific

How big does the Angelfish get?

The Angelfish grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Angelfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Angelfish edible?

The Angelfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus) — Pomacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus) — Pomacanthidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Graham McMartin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Graham McMartin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Angelfish verified
Scientific name
Pomacanthus navarchus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Blue girdled angel; Blue girdled angelfish; Bluegirdle angelfish; Bluegirdled angelfish; Blue-girdled angelfish; Majestic angelfish; Navarchus angelfish; Young blue girdled angel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Sponges, tunicates and algae inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified
Seasonality
Reef-dwelling angelfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Deep blue and orange-yellow body with an opercular spine; reef-grazing angelfish sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pomacanthus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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