How to Identify Yellowbar Angelfish

To identify Yellowbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Adults typically have a dark blue to purplish-blue body with a prominent, vertical, bright yellow bar running from the dorsal fin to the ventral side, just behind the pectoral fin. The caudal fin is often bright yellow. Juveniles are dark blue with numerous thin, curved white and light blue vertical bands, and a yellow caudal fin.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Prominent vertical yellow bar in adults., Yellow caudal fin in both juveniles and adults., Strong preopercular spine., Dramatic color change from juvenile to adult.

Dorsal fin

Long and continuous, with 12-14 spines and 17-19 soft rays, often extending into a filament in adults.

Tail fin

Truncate to slightly emarginate, bright yellow.

Pectoral fin

Relatively large, translucent to yellowish.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin is similar in shape to the dorsal fin, with 3 spines and 17-19 soft rays, often with a filamentous extension.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Adult Coloration

   Look for the dark blue body with a single, prominent, vertical yellow bar and a yellow caudal fin. This is the most definitive adult characteristic.

2. 2

   Juvenile Coloration

   Juveniles are dark blue with numerous thin, curved white and light blue vertical stripes. The yellow caudal fin is present in juveniles as well, which helps distinguish them from other juvenile angelfish species.

3. 3

   Size

   Adults can reach a considerable size (up to 50 cm), which helps differentiate them from smaller angelfish species.

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