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Regal Angelfish
Pygoplites diacanthus (Boddaert, 1772)

A Regal Angelfish at a depth of 8m, Horseshoe Reef, Great Detached Reef, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Photo © E. Schlögl. View larger image.

A Regal Angelfish at a depth of 15 m, Felidhoo Atoll, Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean, July 2001. Photo © H. Rothenfluh & P. Zylstra. View larger image.

The Regal Angelfish can be recognised by the alternating yellow and black-edged white bars on the body. The soft part of the dorsal fin is blue with black scribbles. The anal fin has yellow and blue stripes. The caudal fin is yellow.

It has a strong preopercular spine that is characteristic of the Angelfish family Pomacanthidae

Juvenile Regal Angelfish are similar to the adults, but are more orange than yellow, and have a distinct ocellus on the soft dorsal fin.

This species grows to 25 cm in length.

Regal Angelfish inhabit coral reefs and lagoons that have abundant coral growth. They are commonly found near caves and ledges. This fish is often seen in pairs or as solitary individuals and rarely in small groups. Juveniles are secretive, using coral crevices and cracks for shelter.

It is found in depths from 1m to 48m.

The Regal Angelfish feeds on sponges, sea squirts and salps.

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Tuamoto Islands.

In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia around the tropical north of the country, and south to southern New South Wales.

View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.

Related links

• Blackspot Angelfish fact sheet
• Emperor Angelfish fact sheet
• View the Angelfishes list
• View preopercular spines of the Blue-ringed Angelfish

Further reading

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
2. Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
3. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.