"damsel" angel ID please

[dragonfisher33]

went to a big box pet store today and saw this labeled as "assorted damsel" for $4.99. now I haven't been on the salty side for a terribly long time, but it's not my first day reefing either. is this a juvie koran angel or a juvie emperor angel? I understand the risk when it comes to angels and corals/inverts but I would like to know what this "damsel" is.

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

Juvenile annularis angel. Hope you have a huge tank.....

 

[dragonfisher33]

Juvenile annularis angel. Hope you have a huge tank.....

i can see how it's not an emperor angel, but how can you tell the difference between an annularis and a koran?

 

[Andy Sager]

Juvenile annularis angel. Hope you have a huge tank.....

+1 They are gorgeous fish both as juvies and adults but def not reef safe.

Had it been a Koran, the white lines would have been in a semicircle pattern and if an Imperator, the lines would have formed circles. There is one other very unlikely possibility which is Pomocanthus striatus (rhomboides). Here's a pic:


but this fish is so rare in the hobby that I doubt that a big box store would even get one let alone mismark one. lol Probably more like $499. not $4.99


Hope this helps

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

i can see how it's not an emperor angel, but how can you tell the difference between an annularis and a koran?

The tail on the Korans usually has the same coloration as the body, where the annularis usually stays clear/whiteish.

 

[Tony Gill]

The scientific name of the Koran angelfish - Pomacanthus semicirculatus - indicates the most distinctive feature of juveniles: the posterior bars on the body form semicircles. I agree that your fish looks to be P. annularis. This site has some useful information on distinguishing juvenile angels: Differentiating juvenile angels. - Reef Fishes Only - Singapore Reef Club

Tony