The Most Beautiful Angelfish, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the Angelfish you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 22, 2024 06:20

In the shimmering world of tropical aquaria, angelfish stand out for their graceful fins and vibrant patterns. These striking creatures have an allure that captivates both seasoned aquarists and newcomers alike, drawing everyone to appreciate their unique beauty. However, opinions vary widely on which type of angelfish is the most enchanting, making it challenging for enthusiasts to find consensus. This is why a dynamic ranking system for these aquatic beauties is not just fun but also quite practical. It helps aquarists of all levels identify the most popular and visually appealing species, guiding decisions in fish selection for personal aquariums. By casting your votes, you contribute to a crowd-sourced decision-making process that highlights the favorites in real-time, ensuring everyone can find the angel that best suits their tank and tastes.

What Is the Most Beautiful Angelfish?

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39
votes
Queen Angelfish

With its brilliant blue and yellow coloration, the Queen Angelfish is one of the most striking angelfish species. Its bold pattern and graceful movements make it a favorite among divers and aquarists.
The Queen Angelfish is a stunningly beautiful fish known for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. It is considered one of the most beautiful species among Angelfish. With its regal appearance, it instantly captivates the viewers.

Scientific Name: Holacanthus ciliaris

Size: Up to 15 inches (38 cm)

Coloration: Bright royal blue and yellow

Body Shape: Disc-shaped with elongated dorsal and anal fins

Distinctive Features: Electric blue markings on face and body, yellow tail, dark blue-black accents, and a bright yellow crown on the forehead
2

34
votes
LASZLO ILYES (laszlo-photo) from Cleveland, Ohio, USA · CC BY 2.0

French Angelfish

The French Angelfish is known for its bright yellow and black stripes, which give it a distinctive and elegant appearance. Its graceful movements and curious nature make it a popular species for aquariums.
The French Angelfish is a stunning and colorful marine fish known for its vibrant appearance and bold patterns. It is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. It belongs to the family Pomacanthidae and is scientifically called Pomacanthus paru. This angelfish is highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts for its beauty and active behavior.

Size: Grows up to 15 inches (38 cm)

Coloration: Body displays a striking combination of black and yellow. A black mask covers the eyes and extends to the pectoral fins. The dorsal fin has a prominent yellow bar.

Stripes: Sport three wide vertical black stripes on their bodies, with the middle stripe bending near the back of the fish.

Juvenile Appearance: Young French Angelfish have a different color pattern, with a dark blue or black body covered in electric blue or white rings.

Habitat: Found in coral reefs and rocky areas, usually at depths ranging from 3 to 100 feet (1 to 30 meters).
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17
votes
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

Regal Angelfish

The Regal Angelfish is a stunning species with a deep blue body and bright orange accents. Its unique pattern and elegant movements make it a sought-after species in the aquarium trade.
The Regal Angelfish, also known as the Royal Angelfish or Pygoplites diacanthus, is a stunning marine fish species that is highly regarded for its vibrant colors and elegant appearance. It is native to the tropical reefs of the Indo-Pacific region.

Size: Up to 9.8 inches (25 cm)

Color: Deep blue body with yellow accents and black outlines

Stripes: Vertical blue and yellow stripes on the body

Tail: Long, flowing and predominantly yellow

Dorsal Fin: Highlighted with a vibrant blue color
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4
votes
Albert Kok at Dutch Wikipedia (Original text: albert kok) · Public domain

Emperor Angelfish

The Emperor Angelfish is a striking species with bold stripes of blue, yellow, and black. Its graceful movements and vibrant coloration make it a favorite among aquarists and divers alike.
The Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) is a highly esteemed and aesthetically captivating species of angelfish. It is widely recognized for its vibrant and colorful appearance, making it one of the most sought-after angelfish species in the aquarium trade. Its striking beauty and majestic presence have earned it the title of the 'Emperor' among angelfish.

Size: Up to 15 inches (38 cm)

Coloration: Blue body with bold vertical yellow and blue stripes, a brilliant yellow tail fin, and a contrasting dark-edged black mask on its face

Diet: Primarily feeds on sponges, tunicates, and other invertebrates

Habitat: Found in coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, particularly near the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean islands

Life Span: Up to 20 years in the wild
Emperor Angelfish in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful fish in the ocean
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15
votes
Tylwyth Eldar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Annularis Angelfish

The Annularis Angelfish is a beautiful species with a bright blue body and distinctive yellow ring around its eyes. Its unique appearance and lively personality make it a popular choice for aquariums.
The Annularis Angelfish, also known as the Blue Ring Angelfish, is a stunning marine species that captivates with its vibrant coloration and elegant shape. It is highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts for its striking appearance and peaceful nature.

Scientific Name: Pomacanthus annularis

Size: Up to 15 inches (38 cm)

Color: Varies from deep blue to royal blue, with a contrasting bright yellow or white ring around the body

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on a mix of algae, small crustaceans, and invertebrates

Life Span: Up to 15 years in captivity
6

7
votes
George Berninger Jr. · CC BY-SA 3.0

Masked Angelfish

The Masked Angelfish is a striking species with a deep blue body and bright yellow face. Its bold coloration and graceful movements make it a sought-after species in the aquarium trade.
The Masked Angelfish is a stunning species known for its intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Scientific Name: Centropyge personatus

Size: Up to 12 cm (4.7 inches)

Coloration: Predominantly deep royal blue with distinct black bands and a golden-orange mask covering its face

Fin Shape: Triangular dorsal and anal fins, large pectoral fins

Habitat: Coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans
7

4
votes
Andreas März from Darmstadt, Germany · CC BY 2.0

Flame Angelfish

The Flame Angelfish is a beautiful species with a bright orange body and distinctive black markings. Its lively personality and striking appearance make it a popular choice for aquariums.
The Flame Angelfish is a stunningly colorful angelfish species that originates from the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its vibrant red-orange body coloration and distinct vertical dark lines. The Flame Angelfish has long, graceful fins and a slender body shape, which adds to its overall beauty. It is highly sought after by aquarium hobbyists for its striking appearance and peaceful nature.

Scientific Name: Centropyge loricula

Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)

Lifespan: Up to 10 years

Water Temperature: 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C)

Water pH Level: 8.1 - 8.4
8

5
votes
Ssalmenkivi at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0

Bicolor Angelfish

The Bicolor Angelfish is a stunning species with a bright blue body and bold yellow tail. Its unique appearance and graceful movements make it a popular choice for aquariums.
The Bicolor Angelfish is a striking and visually captivating species of angelfish. It displays a vibrant coloration consisting of two distinct colors, often in a vertical pattern. The most common color combination is a deep blue or black body with a contrasting yellow or orange tail, resulting in a stunning contrast. This distinctive two-color pattern gives the Bicolor Angelfish its name.

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons for a single fish

Scientific Name: Centropyge bicolor

Average Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)

Native to: Indo-Pacific region
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7
votes
Multicolor Angelfish

The Multicolor Angelfish is a beautiful species with a vibrant mix of blue, yellow, and orange coloration. Its lively personality and striking appearance make it a popular choice for aquariums.
The Multicolor Angelfish is a stunning and vibrant species known for its array of bright colors and intricate patterns. Its body is predominantly golden yellow, adorned with vertical stripes in shades of blue, orange, and black. The dorsal and anal fins are long and elegant, featuring a gradient of colors ranging from red to purple. Its eyes are a striking metallic blue, which adds to its overall beauty.

Scientific Name: Centropyge multicolor

Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)

Region: Indo-Pacific - from Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef

Habitat: Coral reefs, lagoons

Lifespan: 5-7 years
10

5
votes
Blueface Angelfish

The Blueface Angelfish is a striking species with a bright blue body and bold yellow accents. Its unique appearance and graceful movements make it a sought-after species in the aquarium trade.
The Blueface Angelfish is a stunning and highly sought-after marine angelfish species known for its vibrant blue coloration and distinct markings. It is a member of the Pomacanthidae family and is considered one of the most beautiful species of angelfish found in the oceans.

Scientific Name: Pomacanthus xanthometopon

Common Name: Blueface Angelfish

Distribution: Indo-Pacific region

Size: Up to 15 inches (38 cm)

Coloration: Brilliant blue body with striking yellow face and dorsal fin

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful Angelfish

Coloration

Vibrant, unique, and contrasting colors along with the variety of color patterns can contribute to the beauty of an Angelfish.
Expression of markings

Some Angelfish might have distinct and attractive stripes, spots, or other markings that make them stand out among others.
Fin shape and size

Elegant and well-proportioned fins can add to the overall visual appeal of the fish.
Body shape

A symmetrical and well-balanced body structure contributes to the fish's grace and beauty.
Condition of the fish

A healthy fish will have a brighter, more attractive appearance compared to one that is stressed or unhealthy.
Behavior

The way the fish swims and interacts with its environment and other fish can influence the perception of its beauty.
Rarity

Some Angelfish species may be more beautiful or desired due to their scarcity in the hobby or their endemic habitats.
Size

Depending on preferences, some people find smaller species to be more beautiful compared to larger ones, or vice versa.
Compatibility with other fish

An Angelfish that coexists well with other fish and enhances the overall appearance of the aquarium can be considered more beautiful.
Personal preferences

Ultimately, the beauty of an Angelfish lies in the eye of the beholder. What some people may find attractive, others might not. It is essential to rank the Angelfish based on your own personal preferences.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful Angelfish. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Angelfish is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1470 views
143 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Angelfish once every 24 hours. The rank of each Angelfish is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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Marine Biology

More information on most beautiful angelfish

Angelfish are one of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby. They are known for their unique and striking appearance, which includes long, flowing fins and vibrant colors. There are many different varieties of angelfish, each with their own unique beauty. Some of the most popular types of angelfish include the marble angelfish, koi angelfish, and the black lace angelfish. Whether you're a seasoned aquarium enthusiast or a beginner, angelfish are a great addition to any tank and are sure to add a touch of elegance and beauty to your aquatic environment.