Holacanthus bermudensis (Goode, 1876) 



blue angelfish 

 Figures 7-9 



Characterized by 13-15 spines in the dorsal fin 

 (usually 14) ; adults with white edges on large 

 body scales, only the distal margin of the caudal 

 fin yellow, and lacking a large spot on the nape. 

 Dorsal soft rays 18-21 (usually 19). Anal fin 

 with 3 (rarely 4) spines and 18-20 soft rays 

 (usually 19) . Pectoral fin with 1 spine and 16-20 

 soft rays (usually 18). Lateral-line scale pores 

 41-48 (usually 45). Gill rakers 18-22 (usually 

 19-20). Maximum size: from literature rec- 

 ords, 18 inches, 6 lb. ; from personal collections, 

 340 mm SL (16 inches TL), 1,964 g. 



Other common names are common angelfish 

 and spotted angelfish. 



The blue angelfish is common in its habitat 

 near the bottom in areas of sponge, coral, and 

 rock. Off Florida, it occurs from shore to be- 

 yond the deepest portion of the reef. Off South 

 Carolina, the species has been taken in a depth 

 of 252 ft. Juveniles are solitary. Adults form 

 aggregations of small to large size and pairs. 

 Hybrids occur between this species and Hola- 

 canthiis ciliaris. 



The blue angelfish occurs in essentially a lin- 

 ear band along the eastern coast of the Americas, 

 extending from Bermuda, South Carolina, At- 

 lantic and Gulf sides of Florida to Texas and 

 Alacranes (Yucatan). The species is rare but 

 known to occur in the Bahamas and at St. Lucia, 

 West Indies (Fowler, 1915). 



Holacanthus ciliaris (Linnaeus, 1758) 



queen angelfish 



Figures 10-12 



Characterized by 13-15 spines in the dorsal 

 fin (usually 14) ; adults with a black spot circled 

 with blue on the nape, the caudal fin entirely 

 yellow, and orange triangles on the large body 

 scales. Dorsal soft rays 19-21 (usually 20). 

 Anal fin with three spines and 19-20 soft rays. 

 Pectoral fin with 1 spine and 16-19 soft rays 

 (usually 18). Lateral-line scale pores 40-46 

 (usually 44-45). Gill rakers 18-22 (usually 19- 

 20). Maximum size: from literature records, 



24 inches; from personal collections, 244 mm SL 

 (12 inches TL), 741 g. 



Other common names for this species are isa- 

 belita, rey de tjamba, yellow angel, golden angel, 

 blue angel, patele, palometa, cachama de piedra, 

 and marguerite. 



The queen angelfish is fairly common in its 

 habitat near the bottom in areas of sponge, coral, 

 and rock. It occurs from shore to the deepest 

 portion of the reef (in Florida). Juveniles are 

 solitary. Adults usually form pairs. Hybrids 

 occur between this species and Holacanthus ber- 

 mudensis.'' 



The queen angelfish occurs in an area of the 

 western Atlantic bounded by: northeast Florida, 

 Bermuda. Bahamas, Turks Islands, Haiti, Puerto 

 Rico, Virgin Islands, Barbados, Trinidad, Sal- 

 vador" (Brazil), Bonaire, Panama (Caribbean), 

 Nicaragua, Yucatan (Mexico) , and Panama City 

 (Florida). 



Holacanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795) 



rock beauty 

 Figures 13-15 



Characterized by 13-15 spines in the dorsal fin 

 (usually 14) ; adults black over most of the body 

 with yellow caudal fin. Dorsal soft rays 17-19 

 (usually 17-18). Anal fin with 3 spines and 17- 

 20 soft rays (usually 18). Pectoral fin with 1 

 spine and 16-17 soft rays (usually 16) . Lateral- 

 line scale pores 42-44. Gill rakers 16-20 (usually 

 18). Maximum size: from literature records, 

 12 inches; from personal collections, 174 mm SL 

 (9 inches TL) , 276 g. 



Other common names for this species are black 

 angelfish (in Bermuda), tjamba, swede, catali- 

 neta, vaqueta de dos colores, banana kojo, sol- 

 dado, ladronchi, cachama medio luteo, and mar- 

 guerite. 



The rock beauty is common in its habitat near 

 the bottom in coral and rock areas. In Florida, 

 the species is restricted to the offshore reefs, 

 down to the limit of coral growth, whereas in 

 the Bahamas individuals commonly occur along 



See footnote 3, p. 5. 

 See footnote 4, p. V. 



