MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 263 



In habits, the angelfishes are really only larger editions of butterfly fishes. 

 They also very often travel together but usually in small groups of up to half a 

 dozen. Some are most often seen alone. The brushlike teeth aid them in grazing 

 over reefs for invertebrates and plants. All of these fishes have a large sharp 

 spine directed back from the preoperculum, which can inflict injuries when the 

 fish is handled. The mouth and lips are usually a different color than the head, 

 giving some of them a Jolson-in-blackface look. The dorsal and anal fins are 

 elongated at the corners. The species are as follows: 



BLACK ANGELFisH (chirivita) : Pomacanthus arcuatus— Figure 148 



Size: This is the largest angelfish, reaching 2 feet. 



Distribution: West Indies to Florida. 



Identification: Members of this genus have very deep bodies, almost round, 

 and the dorsal spines are obscure. This is a grayish species with each scale bear- 

 ing a small black spot which gives a gray, velvety lustre. The inside of the pec- 

 toral fin is bright yellow, and this color is flashed as the fish swims with the 

 aid of that fin. The mouth is conspicuously white. The young are black with 

 vertical yellow bars that disappear with age. This species is usually seen in groups 

 of three to six fish, swimming in rather open water near reefs. 



Similar Species: The French angelfish, Pomacanthus -paru QColor Plate 7), 

 reaches a length of 14 inches and is found in the West Indies north to Florida. 

 The color is black with each body scale outlined with yellow. The base of the 

 pectoral fin is yellow. The young with their vertical yellow stripes QColor Plate 7) 

 are common and striking reef fish. The West Coast member of this genus is 

 Pomacanthus zonifectus and is found south of Mazatlan. 



ROCK BEAUTY (vAQUETA DE DOS coLOREs) : Holocauthus tricolor— Color Plate 7 



Size: Up to I foot. 



Distribution: West Indies to Florida Keys. 



Identification: The very striking color pattern of a yellow head, belly, and tail 

 combined with a black body is distinctive. The shape is somewhat rectangular, 

 and the dorsal spines are small but noticeable. This fish is usually seen singly 

 in and about holes in reefs. 



QUEEN ANGELFISH (isabelita) : AngcUchthys ciUaris—Color Plate 7 



Size: This is as long a fish as the black angelfish, reaching 2 feet, but its lesser 

 body depth makes it appear smaller. 



Distribution: West Indies to Florida. 



Identification: The sides are predominantly yellow with a blue cast. This blue 

 may become quite dark at times. The dorsal and anal fins are yellow, edged with 

 blue. The pectoral and caudal fins are yellow. There is a very distinctive black 

 ocellus ringed with blue on the forehead. The blues on this fish are interference 

 colors and are more iridescent than the yellow pigment colors. The shape is some- 

 what rectangular, and the spines of the dorsal fin are noticeable. The young 

 show a dark bar through the eye and pale bars posteriorly. This fish is usually 

 seen singly about coral heads. 



Similar Species: The common angelfish, Angelichthys isabelita, is found from 

 the West Indies to Florida and is identical to the blue angelfish of Bermuda. It 



