Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Acanthocephala
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Holacanthus
species: Holacanthus ciliaris
Full Taxonomy (ITIS)

Queen Angelfish Photo Gallery

Description & Behavior
The Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris (Linnaeus, 1758), (aka blue angelfish, golden angelfish, queen angel, and yellow angelfish) is one of the most beautiful reef fish in the ocean. The body is highly compressed and the head is blunt and rounded. The Queen angelfish has one dorsal fin that runs along the top of the body. They are brilliantly colored in iridescent blue and yellow, and is very similar to the blue angelfish Holocanthus bermudensis. The primary difference between the two is the dark ringed spot on the forehead of the Queen angelfish that resembles a crown, hence the name. The Queen also has a completely yellow tail. The two species have been known to interbreed creating a hybrid that shares color characteristics of both species. Adults reach up to 45 cm and weigh up to 1.6 kg.

World Range & Habitat
The Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris, inhabits coral reefs in tropical western Atlantic waters from Bermuda to Brazil, Central America, and in the Carbbean. They are commonly found in pairs.

» GBIF occurrence data in Google Earth [Requirements | Tips]
» Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) [World Map] | OBIS-SEAMAP | [about]

Feeding Behavior (Ecology)
The Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris, feeds on primarily on sponges, but also feeds on tunicates, jellyfish, and corals as well as plankton and algae. Juveniles serve as "cleaners" and feed on the parasites of larger fish at cleaning stations.

Life History
Because the Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris, is often found in pairs, it is likely that this species shares a long-term monogamous bond. During reproduction, the pair bring their bellies close together and release clouds of sperm and eggs. Female release between 25-75 thousand eggs each time she mates, and up to 10 million eggs during each spawning cycle. Fertilized eggs are transparent and float until they hatch 15 to 20 hours later into larvae. At this stage, the Queen angel fish lacks eyes, fins, and digestive organs. A large yolk sac is attached, which is fully absorbed in 48 hours while the larvae develop the physical characteristics that allow them to swim. After the yolk sac is absorbed, the larvae feed on plankton growing rapidly for about a month until they reach 15-20 mm in length. At this stage they settle on the bottom of the reef near finger sponges and coral where they set up cleaning stations and guard their territory.

Comments
The Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris, has been associated with ciguatera poisoning which is caused by the accumulation of ciguatoxins in the flesh of tropical marine fishes when ingested. Ciguatoxins, produced by marine dinoflagellates, grow on algae and are ingested by herbivorous fishes. Larger fish also accumulate the toxin by feeding on smaller herbivorous fishes, and become reservoirs of toxic levels of ciguatoxin. Signs and symptoms include gastrointestinal problems, weakness in the arms and legs, and trouble distinguishing between hot and cold. Ciguatera poisoning can last for several weeks.

Queen angelfish are harvested commercially for the aquarium trade.