Gray Angelfish

An adult Gray Angelfish

The gray angelfish is characterized by a gray body, a splash of yellow on the pectoral fin, and a square cut tail.  The picture to the left is an adult and the picture in the lower right hand corner is of a gray angelfish in between the juvenile and adult life stages.  This intermediate phase is evident by three vertical, white body bars, one on the head, body, and tail.  Gray angelfish juveniles are spectacular and are black with three vertical, yellow bars along the body, one on the tail, forehead, and a ring around their lips.  Adult gray angelfish are on average 10 to 18 inches but can reach as large as two feet.

Pomacanthus arcuatus belongs to the phylum Chordata, and class Osteicthyes, or bony fishes.  The gray angelfish is further classified into the family Pomacanrhidae, or angelfish family.  This family of reef fish are separated from others by their long dorsal and anal fins, rounded foreheads, and a spine extending from the rear check over the lower gill.  The family usually swims very gracefully and contains bright colors, hence their name "angelfishes."

The Gray Angelfish has an extremely wide distribution ranging from the north eastern United States, through the Caribbean, and down to Brazil.  These fish inhabit mainly reefs ranging in depths from 5 to 100 feet.  Reefs give Gray Angelfish protection from predators and a place to hide at night.  When it comes to feeding, Gray Angelfish are omnivores that primarily prey on sponges, but often consume algae and detritus. They sometimes play the role of a cleaner fish by removing parasites off other fishes.  Gray Angelfish, in turn, are preyed upon by large piscivores such as groupers.

An intermediate Gray Angelfish

Reproduction occurs during the months of April through September.  A male and female will pair up and cruise the reef while chasing any solitary individuals that approach.  Eventually, the mating pair will rise in the water column and being copulation.  The female releases roughly 25,000 to 75,000 eggs which are fertilized by the male and float to the open ocean.  The eggs hatch and begin their life in the planktonic stage.  Eventually, the larva will settle back onto a reef and the juvenile stage will begin.

References: "Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department: Gray Angelfish." Florida Museum of Natural History. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/Descript/GrayAngelfish/GrayAngelfish.html>.; Humann, Paul, and Ned DeLoach. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. Jacksonville, FL: New World Publications, 2002. 19+. Print.