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Emperor Angelfish

Emperor Angelfish

Pomacanthus imperator

The Emperor Angelfish is widely considered one of the most spectacular fish in the ocean: juveniles wear a dazzling pattern of concentric white and blue rings on black, while adults transition into striking horizontal blue and yellow stripes. This dramatic color change — occurring over several years — is captivating to witness. It is a large, demanding fish requiring a 180+ gallon FOWLR system, best suited to experienced keepers.

TemperamentAggressive
Max Size15"
Care LevelDifficult
CategoryAngelfish

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Compatibility Chart for Emperor Angelfish

See how Emperor Angelfish gets along with every other species in our database.

Compatible (57)

Yellow Tang Compatible Large tank required; usually fine Blue Hippo Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Powder Blue Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Kole Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Naso Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Ocellaris Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species True Percula Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Maroon Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Clarkii Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Six Line Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Fairy Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Melanurus Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Cleaner Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Yellowspotted Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Yellow Watchman Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Green Chromis Compatible No known issues between these species Yellowtail Damselfish Compatible No known issues between these species Raccoon Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Longnose Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Flame Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Longnose Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Midas Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Tailspot Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Lawnmower Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Bicolor Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Royal Gramma Compatible No known issues between these species Banggai Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pajama Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Purple Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Scopas Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Achilles Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Sohal Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Convict Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Tomini Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Brownbanded Bamboo Shark Compatible Emperor is large enough; can work in FOWLR Epaulette Shark Compatible Can work in large FOWLR Coral Catshark Compatible Can coexist in large FOWLR Foxface Rabbitfish Compatible Both large enough to coexist Magnificent Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species One Spot Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species Masked Rabbitfish Compatible No known issues between these species Niger Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Bluechin Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pinktail Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Compatible Large angel may eat shrimp Fire Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Peppermint Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Tiger Pistol Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Sexy Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Emerald Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Blue Leg Hermit Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Turbo Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Nassarius Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Tuxedo Urchin Compatible No known issues between these species Red Fromia Starfish Compatible No known issues between these species

Somewhat Compatible (4)

Mandarin Dragonet Somewhat Compatible Emperor generally ignores bottom dwellers Blue Devil Damselfish Somewhat Compatible Both aggressive; damsel is scrappy Picasso Triggerfish Somewhat Compatible Both aggressive; standoff likely Leather Coral Somewhat Compatible Sometimes leaves leathers alone

Risky (21)

Flame Angelfish Risky Emperor may bully dwarf angel Coral Beauty Angelfish Risky Size/temperament mismatch Firefish Goby Risky Emperor may eat small goby Copperband Butterflyfish Risky Emperor too aggressive for shy butterfly Clown Triggerfish Risky Even emperor angel gets bullied Undulate Triggerfish Risky Undulate is king of aggression Bubble Tip Anemone Risky Large angels often eat anemones Magnificent Anemone Risky Will likely pick at anemone to death Long Tentacle Anemone Risky Emperor may eat anemone Carpet Anemone Risky Both dangerous; mutual avoidance Sebae Anemone Risky Emperor may eat anemone Chicago Sunburst BTA Risky Large angels often eat anemones Rose Bubble Tip Anemone Risky Large angel will eat anemone Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone Risky Large angel will eat it Colorado Sunburst BTA Risky Large angel will eat it Zoanthids Risky May eat zoanthid colonies Mushroom Coral Risky Will likely eat mushrooms Rhodactis Mushroom Risky Large angel may eat mushrooms Ricordea Florida Risky Will likely eat ricordea Green Star Polyps Risky Will pick at GSP Pulsing Xenia Risky Will eat xenia

Not Compatible (10)

French Angelfish Not Compatible Two large angels = constant warfare Horn Shark Not Compatible Incompatible temperatures Hammer Coral Not Compatible Will eat all LPS coral polyps Torch Coral Not Compatible Will destroy torch coral Frogspawn Coral Not Compatible Will eat frogspawn polyps Ricordea Yuma Not Compatible Will eat expensive yuma Bounce Mushroom Not Compatible Will eat your $1000 bounce mushroom Acropora Not Compatible Large angels devastate SPS corals Montipora Not Compatible Will eat montipora completely Duncan Coral Not Compatible Will eat duncan polyps

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