Queen angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
Sighting evidence at Scientists' Corner, Tela
One of the Caribbean's most visually striking reef fish, with electric blue and yellow colouring and a distinctive crown marking. Queen angelfish are sponge specialists — they bite through the otherwise chemically defended tissue of encrusting sponges, filling an ecological niche few other fish can exploit. Pairs are typically monogamous and highly territorial. Their presence at a reef in significant numbers is a proxy for sponge diversity and overall structural complexity, both of which are elevated at Tela.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Queen angelfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.