Bluering angelfish, also called Annularis Angelfish, Blue King Angelfish, and Pomacanthus annularis, is a type of ray-finned fish that lives in the ocean.
It belongs to the family of Pomacanthidae and the genus Pomacanthus, which includes large marine fishes.
These fish can be found in coastal reefs up to 30 meters deep, and adults are usually seen together inside caves.
Young bluering angelfish live in shallow areas with algae on rocks or dead coral substrates. They eat sponges and tunicates for food.
As these angelfish grow from juvenile to adult, their color changes completely.
Bluering angelfish are often exported from countries like Sri Lanka for aquariums.
If you plan to keep these angelfish in your aquarium, then know that these fish are not safe for reef tanks.
Bluering Angelfish Interesting Facts
- Bluering angelfish is a marine fish that is often found in pairs inside caves.
- They settle in very shallow habitats with short filamentous algae growth on rock or dead coral substrates.
- These fish feed on sponges and tunicates.
- They undergo a complete color transformation from the juvenile to the adult stage.
- Bluering angelfish are regularly exported for the aquarium trade but are not reef safe.
Bluering Angelfish Habitat
Bluering angelfish is found in the Indo-West Pacific region.
It can be found along the east coast of Africa, throughout Indonesia, New Guinea to New Caledonia, and as far as north to southern Japan.
These fish live in tropical environments and are usually found near reefs.
They don’t migrate and typically stay at depths ranging from 1 meter to 30 meters below sea level.
These fish prefer warm tropical waters between latitudes 25°N to 25°S.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Bluering Angelfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 17.7 inches (45.0 centimeters)
Bluering angelfish can grow up to 17.7 inches (45 centimeters) in length and have 13 dorsal spines and 20 to 21 dorsal soft rays.
They also have three anal spines and 20 anal soft rays.
Juvenile bluering angelfish are black in color with alternating white and blue curved stripes on their sides.
On the other hand, adults are golden brown or orange in color with well-spaced curved horizontal stripes that extend from the pectoral-fin base toward the posterior portion of the dorsal fin.
Bluering angelfish also have two similar blue stripes that run horizontally across their face.
One of them runs through their eye, from above the snout to the edge of the operculum.
A blue ring is also located behind and slightly above the edge of their operculum.
These angelfish also have a white caudal fin with a bright yellow margin.
The body depth of this fish is around 1.5 to 1.6 times smaller than its standard length (SL).
They have about 70 longitudinal series scales on their body.
Bluering Angelfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Pomacanthidae |
| Genus: | Pomacanthus |
| Scientific Name: | Pomacanthus annularis |
| Also Known As: | Bluering Angelfish, Annularis Angelfish, Blue King Angelfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |