Emperor angelfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 30 cm. The largest on record measured 40 cm (standard length). Record sizes among the 6 Pomacanthus species on LumaReef: 28 cm (Bluegirdle Angelfish) to 46 cm (Sixband Angelfish).

Emperor angelfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 300 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Gallery tank or larger.

Emperor angelfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Pomacanthidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).

Emperor angelfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 51 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Naso tang, French angelfish, and Porcupine puffer.

Emperor angelfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 1 to 100 m down. Deeper than most Pomacanthus on LumaReef (3–40 m).

ReefIn the marketNumbered · 12,000 coinsLegendary100 in the worldSee how many are left

Emperor angelfish

Pomacanthus imperator

A monarch pacing the tank slowly, tearing at coral as it passes.

The Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) is a tropical marine fish of the family Pomacanthidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 1 and 100 m deep. Adults grow to about 30 cm; the largest on record measured 40 cm (standard length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 300 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 30 cm
Smallest tank: 300 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Nips corals

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litresToo small
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litresToo small
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres24 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along51 species

and 27 more species

Not together48 species

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 40 cmstandard length, tail fin excluded
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

1 m100 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyPomacanthidae
GenusPomacanthus
SpeciesPomacanthus imperator
Described byBloch, 1787

In other languages

German: Imperator-Kaiserfisch
Spanish: Pez ángel emperador
French: Poisson-ange empereur
Italian: Pesce angelo imperatore
Dutch: Keizersvis
Russian: Императорский ангел
Japanese: タテジマキンチャクダイ
Chinese: 條紋蓋刺魚

Quick answers

Emperor angelfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 30 cm. The largest on record measured 40 cm (standard length). Record sizes among the 6 Pomacanthus species on LumaReef: 28 cm (Bluegirdle Angelfish) to 46 cm (Sixband Angelfish).
Emperor angelfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 300 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Gallery tank or larger.
Emperor angelfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Pomacanthidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).
Emperor angelfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 51 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Naso tang, French angelfish, and Porcupine puffer.
Emperor angelfish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Emperor angelfish and corals: is it reef safe?: No, it may nip at corals.
Emperor angelfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 1 to 100 m down. Deeper than most Pomacanthus on LumaReef (3–40 m).