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Angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) — Pomacanthidae

Angelfish

Holacanthus bermudensis
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–92.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The blue angelfish is an angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a deep, blue-grey body with yellow fin margins and yellow tints; juveniles are dark blue with yellow and light-blue bars. It inhabits rocky and coral reefs; juveniles live in channels and on inshore reefs. As an omnivore it feeds mainly on sponges, supplemented with algae, bryozoans and tunicates. It regularly hybridises with the closely related queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris). The blue angelfish is a popular reef dweller and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angelfish?

The Angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Angelfish live?

The Angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Angelfish get?

The Angelfish grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Angelfish dangerous to humans?

The Angelfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Angelfish edible?

The Angelfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe keizersvis sourced
English name
Angelfish verified
Scientific name
Holacanthus bermudensis
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Angelfish; Blue angel; Blue angelfish; Blue Angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
92.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Holacanthus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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