Family: Pomacanthidae, Angelfishes view all from this family

Description To 18" (46 cm). Deep, compressed; bluish, scale edges yellow-orange; head yellowish with blue markings on snout, opercle, and chest; large, black spot encircled by blue ring (crown) on nape; pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins yellow, black blotch at base of pectorals; dorsal and anal fins with narrow, light blue edges. Juveniles yellowish green with narrow light blue bars; bluish-black band through eye. Upper profile of head nearly straight to slightly concave above eye; no spine on bone anterior to eye; preopercular spine present. Dorsal and anal fins long, filamentous, extending beyond end of caudal fin; caudal fin rounded, without upper filament.

Related Species Blue Angelfish (H. bermudensis) lacks crown on nape; most of caudal fin dark; occurs in similar habitat in Bermuda, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, and West Indies.

Habitat Coral reefs in shallow water.

Range From Florida to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Discussion Queen Angelfishes blend well with their natural habitat, despite their bright colors. Juveniles may exhibit cleaning behavior typical of some wrasses. The Queen and Blue angelfishes commonly hybridize, producing offspring that are intermediate in appearance.