Angelfish - biology.

Angelfish - biology. Angelfish, name used for several different fishes, including the true angelfishes and the butterfly fishes. Angelfishes differ from butterfly fishes in having a spine near the lower edge of the gill cover. These laterally compressed fishes are among the most beautiful of the tropical reef fishes. Most species are only a few centimeters long, but some grow to a length of 61 cm (24 in). In many species the juveniles and adults are colored differently; the young French angelfish of tropical Atlantic waters is black with bright yellow bands; the adult is predominantly black. The well-known queen angelfish is also differently colored as a juvenile. Most angelfishes feed on small invertebrates. Certain species are often called freshwater angelfish and are popular as aquarium fishes (see Cichlid). In the United States a spadefish is sometimes incorrectly called an angelfish. Scientific classification: Angelfishes belong to the order Perciformes. True angelfishes make up the family Pomacanthidae. Butterfly fishes constitute the family Chaetodontidae. Freshwater angelfish belong to the family Cichlidae. French angelfishes are classified as Pomacanthus paru. Queen angelfishes are classified as Holacanthus ciliaris. Spadefishes are classified as Chaetodipterus faber. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.