Holacanthus ciliaris

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Queen angelfish
French : Poisson ange royal

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Acanthuriformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Pomacanthidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to 45 cm long. Adults are blue with broad yellow rims to flank scales, elongated bright yellow fins. Blue ring at base of pectoral fins, black spot with blue dots and blue rings on top of head. Forehead and chin dark blue.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Florida and Gulf of Mexico to south Brazil. Also found around St Paul’s Rock (eastern Atlantic). Lives in coral reefs with rich invertebrates growth, down to 70 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range. It remains fairly common globally but is harvested for trade in big numbers around Brazilian coasts.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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