Latin name

Pomacanthus maculosus

Other name

Yellowbar angelfish, half-moon angelfish, yellow-marked angelfish, yellowband angelfish or yellow-blotched angelfish.

Identification

Yellowbars have a deep and compressed body with a small mouth equipped with small bristle-like teeth. They have a prominent protrusion on the preoperculum. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 20.

In adults, filaments extend from the dorsal and anal fins with soft rays backwards to the caudal fin. 

Fish colouring

The background colour of adults is brownish blue, with each scale having a blue border, giving the impression of being predominantly blue. Near the centre of the sides there is an irregular yellow band with dark blue vertically elongated spots towards the head. The caudal fin has wavy blue lines on a pale yellow background. Juveniles are mostly black, with many curved vertical blue lines and three broader white stripes. Only the rear third of the caudal fin is yellow. 

Distribution

Widespread off the coast of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, in the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. The range extends along the East African coast as far south as southern Mozambique. It extends north to the Sinai Peninsula in the Red Sea and the northern shores of the Persian Gulf. Occurs off the coast of the Seychelles. 

Habitat

A tropical marine species. Inhabits coral reefs. Found at depths of 4 to 50 metres.

Size

Total body length can reach up to 50 centimetres, but is usually around 20 centimetres. 

Behavior

It is a solitary species. Commonly found in coral rich areas, rocky areas and sheltered muddy bays with corals. Has a stable population in habitats. Does not migrate. Divers note that it is a curious fish and does not shy away.

Food and feeding habits

Their diet is dominated by sponges and crustaceans, although they may also eat other invertebrates.

Reproduction

Females reach sexual maturity at about 5.5 years and a total length of 21.6 centimetres. The maximum lifespan is thought to be 36 years.  They are protogynous hermaphrodites, and older females can change sex and become males when males are in short supply. The larvae are planktonic.

Fishing

Yellowtail angelfish are of commercial interest and are sometimes collected for the aquarium trade.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. In some areas of the Gulf it can be found in fish markets.