Home · Pomacanthidae · Clarion angelfish
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
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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.

Where does the Clarion angelfish live?

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

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.

Is the Clarion angelfish edible?

The Clarion angelfish is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Clarion-keizersvis sourced
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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) 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
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Holacanthus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →