French angelfish
Pomacanthus paru
(Bloch, 1787)
Description:
Terminal phase: Body laterally flattened with a disk-shaped profile, black in color with bright yellow rims on the scales and a bright yellow ring around the eyes. All fins black, except for the base of the pectoral fin that is bright yellow. Tail rounded.
Size up to 41 cm.
Juvenile phase: black with three yellow body bars. A yellow band extends down from the forehead, stops at the base of the upper lip, splits and goes around the mouth. Tail rounded with yellow borders, forming an oval (P. paru juvenile).
Habitat:
Common in shallow reefs, down to 40 m. The juveniles are often cleaning other fish for their food. They can be found mainly in shallow water near coral growths, while the adults occur more in pairs above the reef-slope. Adults feed mainly on sponges and tunicates, but also various species of algae are eaten.
Distribution:
Common to occasional Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.