Angelfish reigns its habitat and characteristics

The queen angelfish stands out for its bright colors, even surrounded by the other fish of the reef. Here you can learn more about their ecology.

The queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is an actinopterygian fish found on reefs with the warmest waters of the western Atlantic. It is sometimes confused with blue angelfish, but its appearance, although similar, shows certain clear differences.

In addition to keeping, it in aquariums as an ornamental pet due to its bright colors, its meat is consumed in some of the regions in which it inhabits. If you want to know better this fish of the family Pomacanthidae, you can do it in the following lines.

Physical characteristics

Like a good angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris has a short, laterally compressed body, with a small mouth that features brush-shaped teeth. It is characterized by long filaments on its dorsal and anal fins. Females reach maturity with 22 centimeters long and males with 24.3 centimeters.

During the transition from juvenile to adult, spines form on the margin of the fish's body, which increase in size as it takes its final shape.

The coloration in the juvenile stage is different from that of the adult. As they grow, these fish go from a shade of blue and yellow bars to a totally yellow-orange one with the edges in purple blue, already definitive. If this data is not known, it is easy to confuse a juvenile specimen with a fish of another species.

In addition, it should be noted that the queen angelfish can hybridize with the Holacanthus bermudensis or blue angelfish. As a result, a hybrid was created with characteristics of both species, which became known as the Townsend angelfish.

Behavior of the queen angelfish

This fish can be found alone, but it is more common for specimens to associate in pairs, which defend a territory between corals. Occasionally, harems of a male can be formed with several females 1 male and 4 or 5 females.

When observed alone, they are usually young specimens, which frequent more superficial waters. Once they match up or select an adult territory, they settle on it and defend it. They are not migratory fish and in aquariums they are considered extremely aggressive animals with other species.

These fish are thought to communicate by transient coloration changes. However, little is known about their social system.

Queen angelfish habitat

The queen angelfish inhabits reefs near Florida, Bahamas and Gulf of Mexico. As they grow, mature specimens go from inhabiting the surface areas of mangroves to settling in the depths of corals. They withstand a considerable range of water salinity and their limit depth is 70 meters from the surface.

Feeding the queen angelfish

This species feeds mainly on sponges. Their diet also includes tunicates, jellyfish, corals, plankton and algae. The young peck at parasites from the skin of other fish, fulfilling the function of commensal cleansers.

Reproduction of the queen angelfish

Adults keep their partner year-round. Fertilization occurs externally and males and females bring their cloacas closer together, after which they release clouds of sperm and eggs. The female can release from 25000 to 75000 eggs each night and up to 10 million eggs during a spawning cycle.

After only 20 hours, the larvae hatch. These lack eyes, fins and even intestine, so they will feed on their yolk sac for about 48 hours without making any movement.

Until after 3-4 weeks the larvae will not transform into juvenile fish, although they grow quite quickly. The queen angelfish does not exhibit parental care, so the offspring are independent since they hatch.

Aquarium care

In captivity, these animals are difficult to keep and are not recommended for inexperienced aquarists. This species requires a large aquarium, as they are very territorial fish and can harass other species that live with them especially others of their species. However, they will not hesitate to resort to physical violence if their space is not respected.

In addition, these fish suffer a lot of stress during the move, which makes them prone to infections and poor adaptation to the aquarium and feeding.

Although it inhabits reefs, in captivity it is not advisable to keep the queen angelfish in a coral aquarium: adult specimens could cut them to create a refuge. They should also not be installed in aquariums with sessile invertebrates, such as polyps or sponges, as they are part of their diet.

Feeding in captivity should be based on artemia and mysis, supplemented with supplements such as fish porridge, mussels and vegetables. To house a couple, a marine aquarium of minimum capacity 800 liters is required.

Conservation status

This species is the state of least concern. Although its population remains stable, it is not free of threats. Among its greatest dangers are bycatch and the collection of resources in their habitat. When the coral reef degenerates, all the species that live on it are in danger, including the one that concerns us here.

The queen angelfish plays a vital role in its ecosystem, as do the rest of the species that live on the reefs. These aquatic environments keep a delicate balance and difficult to recover once it breaks. If despite its delicacy you want to have one of these fish at home, it is vitally important to be responsible and make sure that it has not been extracted from its natural environment.

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