French Angelfish Pomacanthus paru

The French Angelfish is native to shallow reefs along the US east coast, the Caribbean and the east coast of Central America and northern South America.

Adults are grey-black with the body scales tipped with yellow to give a flecked effect. Eyes have yellow rings and there are yellow markings on the face and pectoral fins.

Adults reach some 40-60 cm long. They can live for some 10 years and form monogamous, territorial pairs. Diet is mainly sponges, algae and tunicates.

The juvenile is plain black with yellow stripes. Those shown above are flecked black since they are in transition to adulthood. Juveniles clean larger fish at cleaning stations.