Majestic Angelfish, also known as the Bluegirdled Angelfish or scientifically named Pomacanthus navarchus, is a marine angelfish found in the Indo-Pacific region.
It’s sometimes kept in aquariums. This fish is one of the smaller species among the larger angelfish.
It can grow up to 11 inches (28 cm) in length but is usually much smaller.
Majestic angelfish can live for up to 21 years. Young fish are typically found in shallower waters, while more mature fish can be found at depths up to 120 feet (37 meters).
The diet of majestic angelfish mainly consists of sponges and tunicates (sea squirts).
Young majestic angelfish are mostly blue with white stripes, but as they mature, they develop yellow coloration on their sides, dorsal fin, and tail.
These fish are found in coral-rich areas such as clear lagoons, channels, and protected outer reef slopes.
Their dramatic color change during maturity is rarely seen in the intermediate stage.
Majestic angelfish are often solitary and highly prized for aquariums.
However, they are not considered reef-safe, meaning they may not be suitable for a reef aquarium as they could potentially harm the corals or other inhabitants.
Majestic Angelfish Interesting Facts
- Majestic angelfish is a small marine fish that can grow to be up to 28 centimeters long and live up to 21 years old.
- They prefer coral-rich areas of clear lagoons, channels, and protected outer reef slopes and can be found at depths of up to 120 feet.
- This species has a dramatic color change as it matures from blue with white stripes as a young fish to yellow on the flanks, dorsal fin, and tail as an adult.
- Majestic angelfish are highly prized in the aquarium trade but are not considered safe for reef tanks.
Majestic Angelfish Habitat
Majestic angelfish is found in the Indo-Pacific region.
It lives in areas from Indonesia to Papua New Guinea, north to the Philippines, and south to Rowley Shoals and the southern Great Barrier Reef.
This fish can also be found in Palau and Yap in Micronesia. These fish live in marine environments and are closely associated with reefs.
They don’t migrate and can be found at depths between 3 and 40 meters (10 to 131 feet).
The majestic angelfish thrives in tropical waters, specifically within the coordinates of 32°N – 25°S latitude and 92°E – 162°E longitude.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Majestic Angelfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 11.0 inches (28.0 centimeters)
Majestic can grow up to a maximum length of 28.0 cm (about 11 inches). The maximum reported age for this fish is 15 years.
This fish has 13 to 14 dorsal spines, 17 to 18 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 18 anal soft rays.
Young majestic angelfish are black with light blue curved vertical stripes on their sides.
As they mature, the adults develop bright yellow coloration on their sides, back, dorsal, and caudal fins, along with numerous blue spots.
Their head and the lower part of their body, pectoral, and pelvic fins become dark blue with many light blue spots on the back portion of the anal fin and the adjacent caudal peduncle (the area where the tail fin connects to the body).
There are also narrow light blue streaks running across their face below the eye and just behind their head. The fins are edged in light blue.
The body depth of majestic angelfish is 1.9 to 2.1 times smaller than its length.
It has 45 to 50 scales arranged in a longitudinal series along its body.
Majestic Angelfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Pomacanthidae |
| Genus: | Pomacanthus |
| Scientific Name: | Pomacanthus navarchus |
| Also Known As: | Bluegirdled Angelfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |