They are found in coral reef areas in depths of less than forty meters. At night, P. paru seek cover, usually returning to the same place every night. They are often associated with rocky, broken bottoms, coral reefs, and grassy flats, which provide sufficient hiding places and enough coverage.

Physically, P. paru does well under a broad range of conditions. They are eurayhaline, meaning they tolerate a wide span of salinity. Temperatures in the mid seventy degrees are optimal for this species (Allen 1985,   http://www.hood.edu/academic/biology/frenchangelfish.htm).

Aquatic Biomes: reef