POMACANTHIDAE Angel fishes
Angelfishes are among the most attractive of the shallow-water reef fishes in the UAE. They are laterally compressed and somewhat triangular in profile. Their young have markedly different colour patters to the adult forms and are often mistaken as different species. Angelfishes generally eat sponges and are frequently found around underwater structures or wrecks to which these invertebrates have attached.
Emperor Angelfish Pomacanthus imperator
Beautifully marked fish, with bright yellow longitudinal stripes over a blue- brown background, marginally blue. Eyes masked. Mouth small with comb-like teeth. Juveniles dark blue with whitish whorl marking. Arabian Gulf and east coast, around sponge encrusted rocks and corals. 40 cms.
Yellowbar Angelfish Pomacanthus maculosis
Dark blue, with electric blue edges to fins; vertical yellowish baron flanks, tail fin bright yellow with orangey-brown spots. Shoulder mottled with dark blue-black streaks. Strong spine to lower edge of cheek below gill cover. Long dorsal and anal fins. Found on coral reefs, inshore structures, wrecks and outcrops. Grazes on sponges, algae and crustaceans. This colourful inhabitant of the coral reefs is the most common and largest of the angel fish in UAE waters. 45 cm.