Yellowbar Angelfish

The Yellowbar Angelfish is one of the most impressive and recognizable large angelfish from the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean region. Adults display a deep blue to purple-gray body prominently marked with a large crescent-shaped yellow bar or blotch on the mid-body that extends from behind the gill cover toward the tail. This bold yellow marking against the blue body creates a striking and unmistakable appearance. The caudal fin is bright yellow, and the overall color pattern becomes more vivid and defined as the fish matures.

In the wild, Yellowbar Angelfish are widespread throughout the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and western Indian Ocean coastline, inhabiting coral reefs, rocky substrates, and lagoons at depths from shallow water down to about 150 feet. They are frequently encountered on reef slopes and around large coral formations where they feed on sponges, tunicates, algae, and various invertebrates. Juveniles display the typical Pomacanthus juvenile pattern of dark blue with white and blue vertical bars.

Reaching up to 18 inches in captivity, the Yellowbar Angelfish requires a very large aquarium of at least 200 gallons. It is not considered reef-safe and is best housed in a fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock system. This species is one of the hardier and more adaptable large Pomacanthus angelfish, readily accepting prepared foods and acclimating well to aquarium conditions. It is commonly confused with its close relative the Asfur Angelfish, but can be distinguished by the broader, more blotch-like yellow marking versus the Asfur's sharper crescent shape.