| Family: |
Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes) |
| Max. size: |
45 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,600.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 70 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Eastern Central Atlantic: St. Paul's Rocks (Ref. 13121). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 14-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-21; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 20-21. Tail and pectoral fins entirely yellow. Black spot on forehead has electric blue spots and is surrounded by narrow, electric blue ring. Large blue spot at base of pectoral fin (Ref. 26938). Adults develop short spines on the margin. The color of large adults is purplish blue with yellow-orange rims to the scales; head above eye dark blue, below greenish yellow; mouth, chin, throat, chest and abdomen purplish blue (Ref. 13442) |
| Biology: |
Found on coral reefs. Generally occurs solitarily or in pairs. Moves gracefully between seafans, seawhips, and corals (Ref. 9710). Stomach contents of 26 specimens indicate that the species feeds almost exclusively on sponges supplemented by small amounts of algae, tunicates, hydroids and bryozoans. Young pick ectoparasites from other fishes (Ref. 9710). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3797). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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