Emperor Angelfish
Pomacanthus imperator
The emperor angelfish is a reef-associated marine angelfish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from the Red Sea to Hawaii and the Austral Islands. Its populations are stable and it faces no serious extinction risk. The striking, intricate colour pattern makes it a long-standing favourite among photographers, artists and aquarists.
Family
Pomacanthidae
Avg Size
30-40 cm
Habitat
It is found at depths from 1 to 100 metres (3.3 to 328.1 ft). Adults occupy areas of rich coral growth on clear lagoon, channel or seaward reefs, where they are usually seen tucked beneath ledges and inside caves. Subadults often shelter in reef cavities and along surge channels on seaward reefs, while juveniles hide below ledges, in reef hollows and in sheltered spots in channels and over outer reef flats.
Behaviour
Its diet consists of sponges, tunicates and other encrusting organisms. The species forms pairs, and both juveniles and adults may behave as cleaner fish, picking ectoparasites off larger fishes. When alarmed, it can produce a knocking sound.
Where & When to See It
Erg Somaya
Hamda
El Fanous West
El Mina Wreck
Small Giftun
Ras Disha
Big Giftun
Erg Sabina
Shaab Petra
Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House)
Abu Hashish
Abu Ramada North
Shaab Eissa
Fury Shoals
Turft El Shahed
Shaab Eshta
Banana Reef
Shaab Sabina
Abu Ramada South
Gota Abu Ramada
Belina Wreck
El Erug
Erg Abu Ramada
Habili Ali
Habili Gaffar
Jackfish Alley
Jackson Reef
Kimon M
Lighthouse
Little Brother Island
Moray Garden - Golden Blocks
Napoleon Reef
Near Garden
North Gabr El Bint
Numidia
Panorama Reef
Paradise
Pinky Wall
Ras Abu Helal
Ras Bob
Ras Burg
Ras Ghamila
Ras Ghozlani
Ras Nasrani
Ras Um Sid
Ras Zaatar
Rosalie Moller
Salem Express
Sha'ab Sharm
Shaab Abu Nugar
Shaab El Erg
Shaab Maksur
Shaab Sataya
Shark & Yolanda Reef
Shark Observatory
Shark's Bay
Siyul Kebira
Soma Bay Garden
SS Turkia
The Canyon
The Ulysses
Thistlegorm
Thomas Reef
Tower
Turtle Bay
Turtle Reef
Umm Gamar North
Umm Gamar South
Woodhouse Reef
El Fanadir
Kormoran
Laguna Reef
Middle Garden
Ras Katy
Shaab Claudia
Shabrur Um Gamar
Shag Rock (Kingston)
Small Crack
Sodfa
South Ras Abu Galum
Temple
The Alternatives
The Barge at Bluff Point
The Caves
The Islands
Three Pools
Umm Kharalim
White Knight
Abu Dabbab
North Ras Abu Galum
Abu Ghalawa
Abu Kifan
Abu Nuhas
Aida
Amphoras
Big Brother Island
Blue Hole - El Bells
Bluff Point
Careless Reef
Carnatic
Chrisoula K
Daedalus Reef
Dunraven (Beacon Rock)
Eel Garden
Eel Gardens
Elphinstone
Far Garden
Fiddle Garden
Giannis D
Gordon Reef
Gota Kebir
Gota Soraya