Home · Pomacanthidae · Angelfish
Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) — Pomacanthidae

Angelfish

Holacanthus tricolor
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–92.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The rock beauty is a strikingly coloured angelfish (family Pomacanthidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. Adults have a bright yellow head and tail with a large black mid-body, while juveniles are almost entirely yellow with a blue-ringed eyespot. The species grows to about 35 cm and lives on rocky and coral-rich reefs, where it feeds on sponges, tunicates, zoanthids and algae. Juveniles often associate with fire coral. The species is collected for the aquarium trade. There are reports of ciguatera poisoning after consumption.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angelfish?

The Angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

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 35 cm. On average the species is around 30 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
Driekleurige keizersvis sourced
English name
Angelfish verified
Scientific name
Holacanthus tricolor
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Corn sugar; Coshubba; Rock beasty; Rock beauty verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
92.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes 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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