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Blue angel (Pomacanthus semicirculatus) — Pomacanthidae

Blue angel

Pomacanthus semicirculatus
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue angel (Pomacanthus semicirculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–40.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The semicircle angelfish is a large angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm; adults are green-brown with fine blue spots and blue fin margins, while juveniles are deep blue with white and blue, semicircular bands, to which the name refers. Juveniles live in shallow sheltered areas, adults on coastal reefs with heavy growth and overhangs. As an omnivore it feeds on sponges, tunicates, algae and small invertebrates. The semicircle angelfish is a popular reef dweller and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue angel?

The Blue angel has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue angel live?

The Blue angel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blue angel get?

The Blue angel grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Blue angel dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue angel is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue angel edible?

The Blue angel is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Halvemaan-keizersvis sourced
English name
Blue angel verified
Scientific name
Pomacanthus semicirculatus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Blue angelfish; Half-circled angelfish; Koran angelfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Pomacanthus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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