Arabian Angelfish

The Arabian angelfish, Pomacanthus asfur, is a marine ray-finned fish species belonging to the family Pomacanthidae, predominantly inhabiting the Western 🌊 Indian Ocean.

A notable feature of Pomacanthus asfur is the distinct difference in coloration and pattern between its juvenile and adult stages. As juveniles, these fish exhibit a blue body adorned with pale-blue and white stripes. As they mature, yellow markings begin to appear on their dorsal and caudal fins. Fully mature adults display a predominantly dark blue body with a blackish face, a yellow caudal fin, and a prominent crescent-shaped yellow band running vertically across the flanks. The dorsal fin comprises 12 spines and 19–20 soft rays, while the anal fin is equipped with 3 spines and 19–20 soft rays. Each pectoral fin consists of 17 or 18 rays. The species achieves a maximum total length of 40 cm (16 in).

Geographically, Pomacanthus asfur is commonly found in the western 🌊 Indian Ocean, specifically within the 🌊 Red Sea and the 🌊 Gulf of Aden, extending along the eastern African coastline to as far south as Zanzibar. Accidental releases from aquariums have led to occasional sightings off the eastern coast of Florida and in Malta. The species has also been observed in Mediterranean waters, near 🇮🇱 Israel and Lebanon.

Inhabiting depths between 3 and 30 meters (approximately 10 to 98 feet), Pomacanthus asfur thrives in sheltered inshore reefs rich in soft and hard corals, interspersed with silty seabed patches. Its diet primarily consists of sponges and tunicates. Exhibiting solitary behavior, this shy fish is typically noted near caves or crevices in reefs, posing a challenge for divers to approach. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, wherein the larger fish of a pair transitions to male.

The species was initially described formally in 1775 by Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius. However, its attribution often goes to Peter Forsskål, a Swede of Finnish descent. Al-Luhayya, 🇾🇪 Yemen, is cited as the type locality. In some classifications, it is placed in the subgenus Arusetta, serving as the type species. The specific name, asfur, derives from its Arabic name in 🇾🇪 Yemen.

Pomacanthus asfur is seldom seen in the aquarium trade but has been successfully bred in captivity. Captive-bred specimens are occasionally marketed under the name "half-moon angelfish."