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Clarion angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) — Pomacanthidae

Clarion angelfish

Holacanthus clarionensis
Family: Pomacanthidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Clarion angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific, around the Revillagigedo Islands (Mexico).
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Clarion angelfish is an angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the eastern Pacific, with a very restricted range around the Revillagigedo Islands (including Clarion) off Mexico. The species reaches about 20 cm and has an orange-brown body with blue accents. It inhabits rocky reefs and feeds on algae, sponges and small invertebrates; juveniles act as cleaners for larger fishes. Like other angelfishes the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite. Through its minuscule range and demand in the aquarium trade it is assessed by the IUCN as vulnerable (VU).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Clarion angelfish?

The Clarion angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very restricted range (Revillagigedo Islands); juveniles clean larger fishes; vulnerable (VU).

Where does the Clarion angelfish live?

The Clarion angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific, around the Revillagigedo Islands (Mexico).

How big does the Clarion angelfish get?

The Clarion angelfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Clarion angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Clarion angelfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Clarion angelfish edible?

The Clarion angelfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Clarion angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) — Pomacanthidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Alberto Alcalá (CC BY 4.0)
Clarion angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) — Pomacanthidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Elias Levy (CC BY 2.0)
Clarion angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Peter Krottje, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Clarion angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Clarion angelfish verified
Scientific name
Holacanthus clarionensis
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Clarion angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, around the Revillagigedo Islands (Mexico). inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, sponges and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Very restricted range (Revillagigedo Islands); juveniles clean larger fishes; vulnerable (VU). sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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