WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Yellowface Angelfish

Pomacanthus xanthometopon

Also known as: Blueface Angel, Blueface Angelfish, Blue-faced Angelfish, Yellowface Angel, Yellow-faced Angelfish, Yellowmask Angel, Yellowmask Angelfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2010
Adult
@fishx6 · Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, Maldives · August 20061 / 12
01

Overview

Found singly or in pairs, often close to caves, in channels, lagoons, and over outer reef slopes, rich in coral growth.

Angelfish are usually brightly coloured with highly compressed bodies.
Some live in "harems" others in pairs, they can be highly territorial and make a loud drumming sound when alarmed.

02

How to identify

Head & Mouth
blue face

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Exact location · 2
  • Country only · 10
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, often close to caves, in channels, lagoons, and over outer reef slopes, rich in coral growth.

04

Adult photos 12

05

Discussion 2

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

2 comments

  • imcoop13· 3 Sept 2017

    I had been searching for this unsuccessfully on my last 2 trips to Maldives, so was delighted to spot one at Constance Moofushi Maldives this July. It is truly a beautiful fish!

  • Kristin Eunice· 7 Jun 2016

    I was building a jigsaw puzzle in which this fish was the primary subject and I had NO idea what it was, as I have no knowledge about fish. I told my husband it looked like a fish in disguise - wearing a net-like outfit - looks like that especially around his/her head. I was determined to find out what the thing was, and your site made it very easy, even for a novice like me. Thanks for setting my mind at ease!

ALL STAGES
FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

Deep dive

Taxonomy

  1. kingdomAnimalia
  2. phylumChordata
  3. classTeleostei
  4. orderAcanthuriformes
  5. familyPomacanthidae
  6. genusPomacanthus
  7. speciesPomacanthus xanthometopon (Bleeker, 1853)

SourcesWoRMSFishBase

06

More in the family

Angelfishes (Pomacanthidae)