How to Identify Blue Angelfish

To identify Blue Angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Adults are predominantly deep blue, often with a yellowish-orange caudal fin and pectoral fins. The face may have a darker mask. Juveniles are dark blue with five bright yellow vertical bars, a yellow caudal fin, and yellow margins on the dorsal and anal fins. As they mature, the yellow bars fade and the overall blue intensifies.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Preopercular spine at the angle of the operculum, Rounded caudal fin, Distinct color pattern changes from juvenile to adult

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin with 14 spines and 17-19 soft rays.

Tail fin

Rounded caudal fin, often yellowish-orange in adults.

Pectoral fin

Typically yellowish in adults.

Distinctive fins

Long, flowing dorsal and anal fins in mature adults.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Adult Coloration

   Deep blue body with a yellowish-orange caudal fin and pectoral fins. This distinguishes it from the Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) which has a prominent 'crown' spot on its forehead.

2. 2

   Juvenile Coloration

   Dark blue body with five bright yellow vertical bars. This pattern is very similar to juvenile Queen Angelfish, but the Blue Angelfish typically has a more uniform blue background and the yellow bars are often slightly wider and more distinct.

3. 3

   Preopercular Spine

   Like all angelfish in the genus Holacanthus, it possesses a strong spine at the lower angle of the preoperculum (gill cover).

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