Gray Angelfish
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Also called Black angelfish.
How to tell it
Gray-brown with a pale mouth and a straight-edged tail; juveniles black with straight yellow bars.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called gray angelfish, and what gives it away.
- French angelfish: Black with yellow scale edges, rounded tail. 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.
In the app
Point the camera at a gray 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 gray angelfish
What is the size limit for gray angelfish?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish); Florida (Gulf): 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish).
How many gray 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 gray angelfish from french angelfish?
Gray Angelfish: Gray-brown with a pale mouth and a straight-edged tail; juveniles black with straight yellow bars. French angelfish: black with yellow scale edges, rounded tail.