This Passer is for you!

Holacanthus africanus Cadenat 1951, West African Angelfish (1). Seldom seen in the trade due to its range: off the coast of tropical western Africa. To seventeen inches long in the wild. Pic by AnthonyC.

Holacanthus bermudensis Goode 1876, the Blue Angelfish (1). Often confused price-wise with the Queen Angelfish, whose juveniles have bent mid-body bars and adults are much more colorful overall. Hybrids between the two abound. Patchy distribution in the tropical west Atlantic. To thirteen inches or so in length. Below: Juvenile and mid-size adult in captivity, adult off of Florida shown.

Holacanthus ciliaris (Linnaeus 1758), the Queen Angelfish (1). A true queen of fishes. To seventeen inches in the wild. Florida to Brazil in the tropical west Atlantic. Juvenile (note curved white body bars compared to straight in H. bermudensis) in captivity and adult in the wild (Bahamas) shown. Adults may be yellow, even "koi" mixed in color.

Holacanthus clarionensis Gilbert 1891, the Clarion Angelfish (1). Found at the tip of southern Baja on down to scattered islands as far south as Clipperton. To eight inches in length. A rare beauty that demands a well-deserved high price. Juvenile and adult at Socorro Island, Revilligigedos.

Holacanthus limbaughi Baldwin 1963, the Clipperton Angelfish (1). Only recorded from Clipperton Island in the tropical east Pacific. To about nine inches in length.

Next trip with Marty, Gerry, and crew.

Holacanthus tricolor (Bloch 1795), the (Atlantic) Rock Beauty (3). The one "stinker" in the bunch that are regularly offered. Most specimens die "mysteriously" from the effects of capture and lack of nutrition... place yours in an established live rock tank, and get it to feed immediately. To eight inches in length. At right: A 1.5" juv. in Cozumel. Below: Juvenile in aquarium, semi and full adult in the Bahamas.