Pomacanthus asfur, known as the Arabian or Asfur Angelfish, is a heavyweight of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Persian Gulf, with records extending into the western Indian Ocean. Adults carry a deep blue to purple body offset by a black face, a luminous yellow tail, and a broad yellow crescent that sweeps vertically across the flanks. Juveniles look entirely different: dark blue with pale blue and white vertical bars and no trace of the yellow band, which begins to emerge around three to four inches and fills in completely by five to six inches. Mature specimens reach roughly 16 inches. Like many large angelfish, this species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, maturing first as female, with dominant individuals transitioning to male.

In the wild, Arabian Angelfish favor semi-protected inshore reefs and lagoons dense with hard and soft coral growth, sometimes bordering silty bottoms, at depths ranging from about 10 to 320 feet. They are typically encountered alone or in pairs, working the margins of caves and crevices. Adult housing should reflect that scale and that behavior: a minimum of 250 gallons, with larger volumes strongly preferred if any other angelfish are planned. Build the layout around extensive, mature live rock arranged into caves, overhangs, and tunnels for retreat and grazing, balanced against long, unobstructed swimming lanes for a fish that patrols confidently once it settles. Moderate to strong, varied flow from powerheads suits the species well, and a fully established system is important given this angelfish's reliance on grazing surfaces. Care level is moderate, largely because of the dietary demands and the space required.