Family Pomacanthidae

Fish in Pomacanthidae

• Perciform fish (perch-like)• Marine angelfishes

About the name

• poma meaning "cover”• akantha meaning "thorn"

Preopercle spines (red)

Information

• Small mouths, large pectoral fins, and rounded lunate tail fins

• Size is from 6 inches to 2 feet with the average at 8-11 inches

• Are protogynous hermaphrodites

Up to 2 feet long (gray angelfish)

Up to 6 inches (dwarf angelfish)

Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)

Information

• Feeds almost exclusively on sponges supplemented by small amounts of algae, tunicates, hydroids and bryozoans.

• Juveniles are sometimes cleaner fish.• Are shy and like to hide• Found in pairs year round, so might have long term

monogamous bonds.• Reproduce by rising up in the water, bringing their

bellies close together, and releasing clouds of sperm and eggs.

Distinguishing features

1. A dark blue spot on the forehead, speckled and ringed with brilliant blue, forms the "crown."

2. The tail is yellow.

Interesting facts

COLOR

MORPHS

Family Pomacentridae

Fish in Pomacentridae

• Perciform fish (perch-like)• Includes damselfishes and clownfishes

About the name• Poma (Greek)-means cover. In

reference to the fishes’ opercula.

• Centri-derived from the Greek word kentron, which means sting.

• This refers to the serrations along the margins of the opercula of the fishes.

Cool stuff

• This family is known for being territorial• The males engage in mating displays by bursts

of motion, hovering, fin extensions and fin beats.

• If the female is attracted then she will lay her eggs in his nest to be fertilized by the male externally—through the water.

Sergeant Major (Abudefduf saxatilis)

• DISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Five black body bars. 2. Upper lip does not overhang lower lip.

• Named Sergeant Major because of the stripes which are reminiscent of the insignia.

Information

• Feed on the larvae of invertebrates, zooplankton, smaller fish, crustaceans and algae.

• Eaten by groupers, basses and wrasses.

• Usually about 6 inches in length

Interesting facts:

• At Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, this species feeds on spinner dolphins’ feces and vomits.

• Also, juveniles may hold cleaning stations together with the doctorfish and the blue tang and graze algae as well as pick molted skin and parasites from green turtles.