French AngelfishorGray Angelfish
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
French Angelfish
Black body with bright yellow scale edges, a yellow ring around the eye; juveniles black with curved yellow bars.
French angelfish, next to gray angelfish: black with yellow scale edges, rounded tail.
Gray Angelfish
Gray-brown with a pale mouth and a straight-edged tail; juveniles black with straight yellow bars.
Gray angelfish, next to french angelfish: gray, square tail edge, pale mouth.
Side by side
| French Angelfish | Gray Angelfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pomacanthus paru | Pomacanthus arcuatus |
| Also called | Frenchie | Black angelfish |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | — |
| On the table | Not a food fish — an aquarium species; ciguatera risk on reef fish. | Not a food fish — an aquarium species. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 2 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
Where either fish has a rule, the two are regulated the same. The name still goes in the log and on the tally.
| State | French Angelfish: size · bag · season | Gray Angelfish: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, french angelfish or gray angelfish, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
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-brown with a pale mouth and a straight-edged tail; juveniles black with straight yellow bars. Gray angelfish, next to french angelfish: gray, square tail edge, pale mouth. French angelfish, next to gray angelfish: black with yellow scale edges, rounded tail.
Which is better to eat, french angelfish or gray angelfish?
French Angelfish: Not a food fish — an aquarium species; ciguatera risk on reef fish. Gray Angelfish: Not a food fish — an aquarium species.
Do french angelfish and gray angelfish have the same limits?
Yes, in every state that regulates either one. The table on this page lists each rule with its source and check date.