ReefPicker
← Livestock checker
Emperor Angelfish
Angelfish

Emperor Angelfish

Pomacanthus imperator

One of the most iconic reef fish in the world, the adult Emperor is a bold, showpiece angel banded in electric blue and gold with a masked face, morphing from a blue-and-white swirled juvenile. It is a large, territorial, disease-prone fish that needs a very large, mature aquarium with deep caves and living rock to graze, and it should be added last as it will dominate a community. Strictly an advanced keeper's fish; reef-safe only with caution as it samples LPS, SPS polyps, zoanthids and clam mantles.

Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Max size
15"
Min tank
125 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe with caution
Diet
Omnivore
Zone
Rockwork, Open water, Mid-water
Keep just one per tank — two will fight.
Something look wrong? Report an error

Tankmates

How Emperor Angelfish gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Percula ClownfishEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Percula Clownfish and may harass it.Purple Queen AnthiasEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Purple Queen Anthias and may harass it.Banggai CardinalfishEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Banggai Cardinalfish and may harass it.Radiant WrasseEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Radiant Wrasse and may harass it.Pajama CardinalfishEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Pajama Cardinalfish and may harass it.Green ChromisEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Green Chromis and may harass it.Helfrich's FirefishEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Helfrich's Firefish and may harass it.Yasha GobyEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yasha Goby and may harass it.Tailspot BlennyEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Tailspot Blenny and may harass it.Kole TangEmperor Angelfish and Kole Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.McCosker's Flasher WrasseEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful McCosker's Flasher Wrasse and may harass it.Sixline WrasseEmperor Angelfish and Sixline Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Leopard WrasseEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Leopard Wrasse and may harass it.Lubbock's Fairy WrasseEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse and may harass it.Melanurus WrasseEmperor Angelfish and Melanurus Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yellow Coris WrasseEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yellow Coris Wrasse and may harass it.Red Head Solon Fairy WrasseEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse and may harass it.Cleaner WrasseEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Cleaner Wrasse and may harass it.Royal GrammaEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Royal Gramma and may harass it.Blackcap BassletEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Blackcap Basslet and may harass it.