Gray Angelfish, with the scientific name Pomacanthus arcuatus, is a type of marine fish with ray-like fins.
It belongs to the marine angelfish family, Pomacanthidae, and is also known as the Gray Angelfish or “pot cover” in Jamaica.
This fish is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Gray angelfish are commonly found in coral reefs, usually by themselves or sometimes in pairs.
Young gray angelfish act as part-time cleaners for other marine animals.
Their main diet consists of sponges, but they also eat tunicates, algae, zoantharians, gorgonians, hydroids, bryozoans, and seagrasses.
Gray angelfish lay eggs (oviparous) and form monogamous pairs for breeding.
Their flesh is considered excellent quality and is sold fresh or salted in markets.
These fish are known to be friendly toward divers and have been successfully raised in captivity.
However, they are not considered reef safe, meaning they can potentially harm coral reefs in a reef tank.
Gray Angelfish Interesting Facts
- Gray angelfish is also known as the “Pot Cover” in Jamaica.
- They can be found in coral reefs and are typically solitary, but sometimes they can be seen in pairs.
- Young gray angelfish have been observed cleaning other fishes.
- Their diet mainly consists of sponges, algae, tunicates, zoantharians, gorgonians, and seagrasses.
Gray Angelfish Habitat
Gray angelfish is found in the Western Atlantic region.
Its distribution includes New England, USA, all the way to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
This fish lives in ocean waters near coral reefs and does not migrate.
It can be found at depths ranging from 2 to 60 meters (about 6 to 197 feet) and prefers water temperatures between 72°F to 82°F (22°C and 28°C).
Gray angelfish is a tropical fish, living in areas with latitudes between 44°N and 23°S and longitudes between 98°W and 34°W.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Gray Angelfish Physical Characteristics
Size: Common Length: 17.7 inches (45.0 centimeters), Max Length: 23.6 inches (60.0 centimeters)
Gray angelfish reaches maturity at a length of around 22.6 cm (about 8.9 inches).
The maximum length of this fish is 60.0 cm (about 23.6 inches), but it’s commonly found at a length of 45.0 cm (about 17.7 inches).
The maximum published weight of gray angelfish is 1.8 kg (about 4 pounds).
This fish has 9 dorsal spines (spines on its back), 31 to 33 dorsal soft rays (soft, flexible fin supports), 3 anal spines (spines near its rear end), and 23 to 25 anal soft rays.
The area around its mouth and the edge of its tail fin is pale gray. The inside part of its pectoral fin is yellow.
Young gray angelfish are black with two light yellow bars on their bodies and three on their heads.
Their tail fins are yellow with a vertically elongated, nearly rectangular, or hemispherical black spot in the middle.
Gray Angelfish Reproduction
In gray angelfish, monogamous mating is seen as both facultative and social.
This means that these fish can form long-lasting pairs and practice monogamy as a choice (facultative) or as part of their social behavior (social).
Gray Angelfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Pomacanthidae |
| Genus: | Pomacanthus |
| Scientific Name: | Pomacanthus arcuatus |
| Also Known As: | “Pot Cover” in Jamaica |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |