HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishYellowtail angelfish Yellowtail angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthurus) Scientific name: Apolemichthys xanthurus Bennett, 1833 The Yellowtail angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthurus) is a marine fish of the family Pomacanthidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, Mauritius to India and Sri Lanka. BiologyBody pale gray or light brown; black spots on scales larger dorsally, resulting in dark color on upper sides grading to pearly white ventrally. Head dark brown or black; snout lighter; a yellow spot about equal to eye diameter on the temple region. Caudal fin yellow; dorsal and anal fins dark brown to black with white margin; adjacent caudal peduncle region also black.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameApolemichthys xanthurusFamilyPomacanthidae (Angelfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length15.0Depth range5–20 m (16–66 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 5 - 20 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Indian Ocean: Mauritius to India and Sri Lanka.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More angelfish & butterflyfishPajama cardinalfishSphaeramia nematopteraYellow-ear angelfishApolemichthys xanthotisGoldspotted angelfishApolemichthys xanthopunctatusFlameback angelfishCentropyge aurantonotusYellowfin angelfishCentropyge flavipectoralisBlackear angelfishCentropyge hotumatuaSee all angelfish & butterflyfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026