ANGELFISH
With their beautiful coloration and dramatic patterns angelfish have become a favorite subject for underwater photographers. Angelfish are among the most colrful of marine animals, and although they are most famous, little if any is known about their natural behavior.
Order : Perciformes
Family : Pomacanthidae
Genus and Species : Pomacanthus
Average Length : Up to 2 feet
Diet : Algae, worms, shellfish, shrimp and sponges
Lifespan : Unknown
Food, Feeding and Hunting : The smaller species of angelfish have brushlike teeth which they use to scrape algae off the coral and rocks. The larger species prey on shrimps, worms and shellfish with their beaklike jaws. Some species have evolve protruding mouths which allow them to reach for prey within small crevices in the reef.
Breeding : Little is known about the spawning behaviors of the angelfish. Nevertheless, as many reef fish, the angelfish changes sex upon reaching maturity. Usually, it occurs when the male of a harem of females dies. The oldest female then changes sex and fertilizes the eggs.
Distribution : Angelfish are common in coral reefs in tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. They are very populous in the waters of the Carribean and in the Indian Ocean. They can aso be found by the Ivory coast and near Madagascar.
Conservation : There are two threats to the angelfish. The first is the costal development of areas near their habitats such as the Carribean, and the second is the extensive collection man catches for house-hold aquariums.
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