Angelfishes
Gray Angelfish
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Species Overview
Large, deep, compressed angelfish, uniform gray to gray-brown; scales have dark centers edged pale gray; chin and mouth whitish; inner face of pectoral fin yellow; tail nearly straight-edged with a pale gray margin.
- Depth range
- 2-60 m (FishBase); usually 2-30 m (Florida Museum).
- Habitat
- Coral reefs; juveniles on shallow patch reefs and seagrass areas.
- Diet
- Mainly sponges, plus tunicates, algae, zoantharians, gorgonians, hydroids, bryozoans and seagrass (FishBase); juveniles eat algae, detritus and parasites from other fish.
- Range
- Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Gulf of Mexico and Brazil (ReefGuide); western Atlantic from New England to near Rio de Janeiro (FishBase).
Life stages
Juvenile (ReefGuide photo): black with yellow bars (two on body, three on head per FishBase; five total per Florida Museum), head band running through the mouth to the chin; tail yellow with an irregular black blotch. Intermediate phase (ReefGuide photo) shows fading bars.
Ecological role
Sponge-eating reef grazer; juveniles provide cleaning services.
Explore reef conservation
Learn about Caribbean reef habitats, invasive lionfish and the work of the Caribbean Reef Fish Foundation.
TL means total length; SL excludes the tail fin; FL measures to the tail fork. These measurements are not interchangeable.