Stats

Lifespan: 10-15 yrs
Size: Large
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Pair
Biome: Coral reef
Range: Western Atlantic
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Uncommon

About

The French Angelfish patrols Caribbean coral reefs in devoted mated pairs that share and defend a territory together for life. Juveniles serve as cleaning-station attendants, picking parasites off larger fish — a role they abandon once they mature into their striking black-and-gold adult coloration.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling fry
A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Pomacanthus
Species: Pomacanthus paru