French Angelfish
Pomacanthus paru
Also called Frenchie.
How to tell it
Black body with bright yellow scale edges, a yellow ring around the eye; juveniles black with curved yellow bars.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called french angelfish, and what gives it away.
- Gray angelfish: Gray, square tail edge, pale mouth. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Not a food fish — an aquarium species; ciguatera risk on reef fish.
In the app
Point the camera at a french angelfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about french angelfish
What is the size limit for french angelfish?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish); Florida (Gulf): 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish).
How many french angelfish can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate.
How do you tell french angelfish from gray angelfish?
French Angelfish: Black body with bright yellow scale edges, a yellow ring around the eye; juveniles black with curved yellow bars. Gray angelfish: gray, square tail edge, pale mouth.