Sixbar Angelfish - Pomacanthus sexstriatus - Bold Stripes among the Coral

A Sixbar Angelfish moves through the reef outside Pattaya, Thailand, displaying its bold dark bars, bright blue spotting and distinctive white facial stripe.

The Sixbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus sexstriatus) has a deep, strongly compressed body with extended dorsal and anal fins and a prominent spine on the gill cover. Adults are generally yellowish to golden-brown and marked by six broad dark vertical bars along each side, while the head is darker with a conspicuous white vertical stripe behind the eye. Numerous small electric-blue spots cover the body, fins and tail, with additional blue edging along parts of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. This large marine angelfish inhabits coral and rocky reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific, including the waters around Thailand, and is commonly found from shallow reef zones to moderate depths. It feeds mainly on sponges and other benthic invertebrates. The species can reach approximately 45–46 centimetres in total length. This photograph captures an adult moving among corals and reef life outside Pattaya, where its contrasting stripes and blue markings stand out vividly against the surrounding habitat.