- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PERCIFORMES
- POMACANTHIDAE
Family POMACANTHIDAE
Common name: Angelfishes
Summary:
They are closely allied and similar in appearance to chaetodontids, but are generally more robust and differ in having a sharp spine on the cheek.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2020, Angelfishes, POMACANTHIDAE in Fishes of Australia, accessed 09 Dec 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/family/163
More Info
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Family Taxonomy |
The family Pomacanthidae comprises about 87 species in nine genera. Australian seas contain 30 species in 7 genera; one additional species is found on the Australian territory of Cocos (Keeling) Island in the Indian Ocean. |
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Family Distribution |
Most angelfishes live on coral reefs and are found worldwide, mostly in tropical seas. |
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Family Size |
The maximum size is about 46 cm, but several Centropyge species are fully mature at lengths under 10 cm. |
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Family Feeding |
Most of the smaller species such as members of Centropyge feed almost exclusively on algae, whereas many of the larger species feed on sponges supplemented with algae and small amounts of zoantharians, tunicates, hydroids, gorgonians and various eggs. |
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Family Reproduction |
Although closely allied to butterflyfishes (Family Chaetodontidae) angelfishes lack the characteristic tholichthys larval morphology of chaetodontids. |
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Family Commercial |
Pomacanthids are popular aquarium fishes. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2020 |
References
Baraf, L., Pratchett, M. & Cowman, P. 2019. Ancestral biogeography and ecology of marine angelfishes (F: Pomacanthidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutio, 140, Article: 106596, DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106596.