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Red Sea angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthotis) — Pomacanthidae

Red Sea angelfish

Apolemichthys xanthotis
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Red Sea angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthotis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–35.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Red Sea angelfish is a marine angelfish from the western Indian Ocean, mainly in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a grey-white body with a black head cap, a yellow patch behind the eye and yellow tints on the fins and tail. On the gill cover it bears a strong spine. As a reef-dweller it grazes sponges, tunicates and algae from the reef. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red Sea angelfish?

The Red Sea angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Red Sea angelfish live?

The Red Sea angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Red Sea angelfish get?

The Red Sea angelfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Red Sea angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Red Sea angelfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Red Sea angelfish edible?

The Red Sea angelfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode Zee-keizersvis verified
English name
Red Sea angelfish verified
Scientific name
Apolemichthys xanthotis
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Red Sea angelfish; Yellow-ear angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Apolemichthys

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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