How to Identify French Angelfish
A favorite of scuba divers and snorkelers, the French angelfish is a beautiful, tropical fish that is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida and the Bahamas down to Brazil. Its range also includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, including the Antilles. They are very friendly and will often swim up to investigate divers and snorkelers.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Check near coral reefs. French angelfish are found in the shallow waters around coral reefs. They are found usually in 15 feet of water or shallower.
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2
Examine the body style. The French angelfish has a thin, deep body with a small mouth and comblike teeth. The lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw.
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3
Determine if it's an adult or immature fish. Check the colors. In adults, the scales of the body are black and rimmed with bright yellow. There is an orange-yellow bar at the base of the pectoral fins and yellow on the dorsal. The chin is white, and the face is a light blue. The eyes are rimmed in blue with a yellow outer portion of the iris. All of the fins are black.
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4
Young French angelfish have yellow bands.
Look at the size and colors. The juvenile fish are different from the adults in that they have a dark brown to black body with three thick vertical yellow bands that continue onto the fins. As they mature, the scales resemble those of the adult--black with yellow edges. The yellow bands will disappear.
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5
Check the length. Adult French angelfish can reach a maximum length of 24 inches (61 cm) but are more commonly found at about 16 inches (40 cm). French angelfish may live up to 10 years.
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Tips & Warnings
French angelfish are shy. To get good pictures, remain still and let them approach you.
French angelfish are prey to larger fish. If selecting them for an aquarium, use caution when selecting other fish.
