Is This Emperor Angel a “Full” Adult— Or Not Yet?

[JumboShrimp]

This is my first time owning an Emperor Angel— I have had him since he was a sub-adult (no black mask, no white face, body just starting to show yellow.)

I think of him as an “adult” now, but I have seen photos where virtually ALL the yellow lines have fully ‘connected’ and straightened out into more or less parallel lines.

Is my fish a “full” adult, or does he still have some ways to go?

 

[Shufflepig]

Looks full adult. The pattern of lines differs among emperors.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Thank you, @Shufflepig — that’s the part I was unsure about. I appreciate it!

 

[Squidward]

Sure looks like it. I think their lines become more straight as they age. Could be wrong?

 

[Largeangels]

I've had the male (left) about 10 years and female about 3. Grew them both from small juvis. Still waiting for straight lines. Male is about 10".

 

[Jay Hemdal]

This is my first time owning an Emperor Angel— I have had him since he was a sub-adult (no black mask, no white face, body just starting to show yellow.)

I think of him as an “adult” now, but I have seen photos where virtually ALL the yellow lines have fully ‘connected’ and straightened out into more or less parallel lines.

Is my fish a “full” adult, or does he still have some ways to go?

Nice fish, no HLLE! I’ve seem Pomacanthids develop slightly aberrant color patterns when they mature in aquariums - French angels retaining faded stripes, stuff like that.
Jay

 

[JumboShrimp]

Hi @Jay Hemdal — coincidentally I do have a large French Angel (in my second FOWLER), fairly well-along in losing his stripes. It’s so much fun watching some of these larger fish grow! (And thanks for all the invaluable help you provide here on R2R.)

 

[watdachuck]

BoTom is about 6.5”

 

[4FordFamily]

Sure looks like it. I think their lines become more straight as they age. Could be wrong?

This is (generally) correct.

 

[watdachuck]

This is from September 2020. They definitely straightened out over time.