Browse animals
Exhibit
See the Semicircle angelfish (koran anglefish) at Two Oceans Aquarium in this exhibit:
Semicircle angelfish (koran anglefish) Pomacanthus semicirculatus
Photograph by Dagny Warmerdam
Fast facts
- Colours and patterns change as the fish ages
- Sharp spines on gill covers are used in defence
There are over 80 species of angelfish, 11 of which are found off southern Africa. Angelfish are underwater artworks – they have spectacular colours and patterns.
Most angelfish change their colours and patterns as they grow. The males and females are also differently coloured and marked – so much so that they look like completely different fish!
Angelfish are not such angels – they have a secret weapon in the form of a sharp spine on each gill cover, which they use to defend themselves and to wedge themselves into cracks on the reef.