{"product_id":"juvenile-emperor-angelfish-medium-pomacanthus-imperator-saltwater","title":"Juvenile Emperor Angelfish - Medium (Pomacanthus imperator)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eJuvenile Emperor Angelfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePomacanthus imperator\u003c\/em\u003e), also sold as the Imperator Angelfish, is a medium juvenile still wearing its deep navy body and the bright white and electric blue rings that circle toward the tail. Over time it trades those rings for the adult look of yellow and blue horizontal stripes with a dark mask, one of the most dramatic color changes in the hobby. It is a semi-aggressive, intermediate-level fish that is not reef safe and grows large, so it belongs in a big fish-only or fish-with-live-rock system. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efish selection\u003c\/a\u003e while you plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 180 gallons minimum for an adult, 220 gallons or more preferred. Emperors reach around 15 inches. A medium juvenile can grow out in a smaller established tank for a while only if the larger tank is already planned.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature system:\u003c\/strong\u003e choose a stable, well-filtered tank with plenty of live rock for grazing and caves for cover. Large angels are messy eaters, so strong filtration and regular water changes matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, alkalinity 8 to 12 dKH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore. Wild fish eat a lot of sponge, so offer a frozen angel formula that contains sponge, like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-angel-butterfly-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Angel \u0026amp; Butterfly Cubes\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-mega-marine-angel\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Mega-Marine Angel\u003c\/a\u003e, plus \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tlf-seaveggies-purple-seaweed\"\u003eseaweed\u003c\/a\u003e and meaty foods like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e. Feed two to three times daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSettling in:\u003c\/strong\u003e a new juvenile can stay shy for the first few days. Keep the lights low after you bring it home, offer several foods, and give it time to start exploring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuarantine at home:\u003c\/strong\u003e we recommend quarantining any new fish in a separate tank at home before it joins your display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePomacanthus imperator\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEmperor Angelfish, Imperator Angelfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific and Red Sea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize offered\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMedium, in juvenile coloration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNo, nips corals and clams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 15 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e180 gallons, 220 gallons preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, sponge-based angel foods, algae and meaty frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot reef safe.\u003c\/strong\u003e Emperors pick at large-polyp stony corals, soft corals, zoanthids and clam mantles, so a fish-only or fish-with-live-rock tank is the better home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt does best with robust tank mates of a similar size, such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/powder-brown-tang-acanthurus-japonicus-saltwater\"\u003ePowder Brown Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sailfin-tang-zebrasoma-veliferum-saltwater\"\u003eSailfin Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-throat-trigger-xanthichthys-auromarginatus-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Throat Trigger\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/arc-eye-hawkfish-paracirrhites-arcatus-saltwater\"\u003eArc Eye Hawkfish\u003c\/a\u003e. Keep one large angelfish per tank unless the system is very large and both go in together. Skip very small, timid fish that a growing Emperor could bully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-angel-butterfly-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Angel \u0026amp; Butterfly Cubes\u003c\/a\u003e, a sponge-based frozen staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-mega-marine-angel\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Mega-Marine Angel\u003c\/a\u003e for variety in the frozen diet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brightwell-angelixir-amino-acid-food-soak\"\u003eBrightwell AngeLixir\u003c\/a\u003e to soak foods and tempt a new arrival to eat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tlf-seaveggies-purple-seaweed\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies SeaVeggies Purple Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e for daily greens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e for the meaty part of the diet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/innovative-marine-accudrip-drip-acclimator\"\u003eInnovative Marine AccuDrip Acclimator\u003c\/a\u003e for a gentle drip acclimation at home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen will it change into adult colors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually as it grows through the 3 to 5 inch range, and the change happens gradually. Rings give way to yellow and blue stripes, so you will see in-between patterns along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I start it in a smaller tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA juvenile can grow out in an established tank of 100 gallons or more for a short time, but it will need 180 gallons or more as an adult. Only start small if the upgrade is already planned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it in a reef tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe do not recommend it. Emperors often nip corals and clam mantles, and that habit can start at any age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it with other angelfish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually one large angel per tank is the safest plan. Only very large systems can handle more, and they should go in at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48175955476699,"sku":"SW3-SW2048","price":159.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/SqueakysAquatics-IMG7445-clean-square.png?v=1793576880","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/juvenile-emperor-angelfish-medium-pomacanthus-imperator-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}