Fish
Queen Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris · also called golden angelfish
Patrolling a Caribbean reef with a partner, a queen angelfish flashes a blue-edged golden body and the small, electric-blue-ringed spot on its forehead that earned it the name of a crowned monarch.
Overview
The queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris, is native to ocean and coastal reef habitat across the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. Its crown-like forehead spot, sponge-heavy diet, and cleaning juveniles make it one of the most iconic and visually distinctive angelfish of Atlantic reefs.
A crown worn from the reef
The queen angelfish’s bright forehead spot and golden-blue colouring make it easy to pick out among Caribbean reef fish, and young individuals add a useful habit, working as small cleaners for larger fish before they grow up.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable reef habitat throughout the western Atlantic and Caribbean.
Queen Angelfish: common questions
Why is it called the queen angelfish?
It has a dark spot ringed in electric blue on its forehead that resembles a small crown, a feature that gives the species its common name.
Do queen angelfish clean other fish?
Juveniles do, picking parasites from larger fish at small cleaning spots, though adults stop and switch to a diet based mainly on sponges.
Can a queen angelfish interbreed with other angelfish?
Yes, where its range overlaps with the closely related blue angelfish, the two can produce hybrids.
Where is the queen angelfish found?
It is native to ocean and coastal reef habitat across the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.