{"product_id":"juvenile-imperator-angelfish-pomacanthus-imperator-saltwater","title":"Juvenile Imperator Angelfish (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 Imperator Angelfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePomacanthus imperator\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Emperor Angelfish, is one of the true showpiece fish of the saltwater hobby. As a juvenile it wears a deep navy body covered in bright white and electric blue rings that swirl toward the tail. As it grows, it slowly changes into the adult pattern of yellow and blue horizontal stripes with a dark mask across the eyes, so you get to watch the transformation happen in your own tank. It is a semi-aggressive, intermediate-level fish that is not reef safe and grows large, so it suits 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, and 220 gallons or larger is better. Imperators reach around 15 inches. A juvenile can grow out in a smaller established tank for a while only if the big upgrade is already planned.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature system:\u003c\/strong\u003e add it to a stable, well-filtered tank with plenty of live rock to graze and caves to retreat into. Large angels produce a lot of waste, 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. In the wild a big part of its diet is sponge, so feed a frozen angel formula that contains sponge, like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-angel-butterfly-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Angel \u0026amp; Butterfly\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-mega-marine-angel\"\u003eHikari 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 juveniles can be shy for the first few days. Keep the lights low after you bring it home, offer a few different 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;\"\u003eImperator Angelfish, Emperor 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;\"\u003eJuvenile, 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 plus greens and meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e15 years or more with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\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 Imperators pick at large-polyp stony corals, soft corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. Some reefers try one with tough corals, but it is a gamble. It is a much better fit for a fish-only or fish-with-live-rock tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith other fish it does best alongside robust, similarly sized tank mates. Good choices include tangs like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/powder-brown-tang-acanthurus-japonicus-saltwater\"\u003ePowder Brown Tang\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sailfin-tang-zebrasoma-veliferum-saltwater\"\u003eSailfin Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yellow-foxface-siganus-vulpinus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eYellow Foxface\u003c\/a\u003e, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-throat-trigger-xanthichthys-auromarginatus-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Throat Trigger\u003c\/a\u003e, and the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/arc-eye-hawkfish-paracirrhites-arcatus-saltwater\"\u003eArc Eye Hawkfish\u003c\/a\u003e. Keep only one large angelfish per tank unless the system is very large and both go in at the same time. Avoid very small, timid fish that an adult Imperator 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\u003eThe change usually starts somewhere around 3 to 5 inches and happens gradually over several months. You will see yellow stripes appear and the rings fade until it looks like an adult. Good food and a stable tank help it grow into a healthy adult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It nips corals and clams, so we recommend a fish-only or fish-with-live-rock tank.\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 with other angelfish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually not with other large angels, since they tend to fight. Small dwarf angels may work in a very large tank, added at the same time, but one large angel per tank is the safest plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540958621915,"sku":"110053","price":129.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/6ac3cc0201e33ee6e610f361_b6a5eefa-b550-432b-b1d9-36fe37e99fe1_0_hq_NA25v.png?v=1791216846","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/juvenile-imperator-angelfish-pomacanthus-imperator-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}