National Aquarium: Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)

National Aquarium: Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)

Did you know that both males and females change color during courtship and mating?

An adult emperor angelfish has a dark stripe across its eye area. The stripe resembles a mask and is meant to confuse predators. Its body is vibrantly colored, with alternating stripes in blue and yellow. However, a juvenile looks so different from an adult that it was once believed to be a different type of angelfish. Its body is dark blue with white and electric blue rings.

Male emperor angelfish are territorial, and they will defend their living space, as well as the few females they share it with. This area can be as large as 10,760 square feet. Males may even attack other male emperor angelfish who try to enter their living space.

 

Read on to learn more about the emperor angelfish!


National Aquarium
Science Topics
Zoology
Animals
Fish
K-6
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade

What are you looking for?

Organization

National Aquarium

Website URL

Type of Resource

Article

Assigned Categories

Resource k12

National Aquarium: Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)

Did you know that both males and females change color during courtship and mating?

An adult emperor angelfish has a dark stripe across its eye area. The stripe resembles a mask and is meant to confuse predators. Its body is vibrantly colored, with alternating stripes in blue and yellow. However, a juvenile looks so different from an adult that it was once believed to be a different type of angelfish. Its body is dark blue with white and electric blue rings.

Male emperor angelfish are territorial, and they will defend their living space, as well as the few females they share it with. This area can be as large as 10,760 square feet. Males may even attack other male emperor angelfish who try to enter their living space.

 

Read on to learn more about the emperor angelfish!

National Aquarium
Science Topics
Zoology
Animals
Fish
K-6
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade

What are you looking for?

Organization

National Aquarium

Website URL

Type of Resource

Article

Assigned Categories