Queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Holacanthus ciliaris
- Common name
- Queen angelfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Genus
- Holacanthus
- Size
- 25–45 cm
- Depth
- 1–70 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, diurnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean
Description
Holacanthus ciliaris reaches 45 cm. Angelfish (Pomacanthidae) West Atlantic tropical (Caribbean, Florida, Brazil) with spectacular compressed body blue-green to gold-yellow, scales edged in blue, central black spot framed in blue on forehead forming characteristic crown (hence queen angelfish), vivid blue mouth. Lives from 1 to 70 m on coral reefs. Solitary or in pairs, territorial. Feeds mainly on sponges. Trophy Caribbean dive photo subject, one of the most photogenic fish of West Atlantic.
Photo of Queen angelfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Queen angelfish?
- Queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) reaches 25–45 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Queen angelfish?
- Queen angelfish is found between 1–70 m deep.
- Is the Queen angelfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Queen angelfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Queen angelfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Holacanthus
- Holacanthus tricolor - Rock beauty
- Holacanthus passer - King angelfish
- Holacanthus clarionensis - Clarion angelfish
Other species in the family Pomacanthidae
- Centropyge aurantonotus - Flameback angelfish
- Pomacanthus paru - French angelfish
- Pomacanthus arcuatus - Gray angelfish
- Pomacanthus xanthometopon - Yellowmask angelfish
- Centropyge bicolor - Bicolor angelfish
- Pomacanthus zonipectus - Cortez angelfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 276012)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5211452)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia