the smallest adult Emperor Angel

[marcus_yeh]

Does anyone know what is the smallest size of the Emperor angel with adult coloration? Can the owners of the adult Emperor angels tell me how big his is? I want to buy a adult Emperor angel as small as possible. Please help me if you know. Thank you.

 

[sammystingray]

Can I ask why? Just curious.

 

[Will C1]

the angel gets to be 15" and requires a tank of at least 100gal to be slightly happy.

 

[LFS42]

I've seen wild caught ones in the store w/adult coloration at 5-6".

 

[Will C1]

my buddies turned colors at 6" in his 180 but still continued to grow its now about 9" looking great but still growing.

 

[dizzy]

marcus,
According to "A Guide To Angelfishs and Butterflyfishes" by Allen,Steene,&Allen, "Adult coloration apparent at about 8-12 cm length. Maximum size about 38cm." I have seen them looking almost fully adult at slightly under 3.5" or the 8cm. The theory is that in the wild the change takes place more slowly if the juvenile is living in the terriotory of an adult, lest it be attacked as an intruder. I have one in a 220 with live rock and certain soft and sps that is about 8". It is one of the most magnificent fish I have in my collection. BTW counting all my Centropyge and Genicanthus I have 20 angels in my home or store display tanks. The imperator has grown from about 4" to 8" in about 4-years.