Species profile
Queen Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
Identify Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 334 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, New York, and North Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Adults grow up to 18 inches long, making them one of the largest Caribbean reef angelfish.
- Sponges account for over 70% of their diet, scraped directly off reef surfaces.
- Juveniles act as cleaner fish, removing parasites from larger species at dedicated cleaning stations.
- They readily hybridize with Blue Angelfish where ranges overlap in the western Atlantic.
- Found throughout the Caribbean and Florida Keys at depths ranging from 6 to 100 feet.
Where Queen Angelfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Queen Angelfish
Background
The queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is a marine angelfish commonly found near reefs in the warmer sections of the western Atlantic Ocean. Other common names include blue angelfish, golden angelfish, queen angel, and yellow angelfish. Holocanthus ciliaris should not be confused with Holocanthus bermudensis, or the (Bermuda) blue angelfish, despite very similar appearances. They are two…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Queen Angelfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Queen Angelfish?
Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Queen Angelfish?
Queen Angelfish is Holacanthus ciliaris.
Is Queen Angelfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Queen Angelfish has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Queen Angelfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Queen Angelfish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.