| These large, graceful, oval shaped fish are the favorite of many divers. The Queen Angelfish is often considered the most beautiful fish of the reef and the Gray Angel may be the most friendly. The name Angelfish is derived from the long, streaming dorsal and anal fins which resemble an Angel's wings. The tropical Western Atlantic has seven angelfish species: Rock Beauty, Queen Angelfish, Blue Angelfish, Gray Angelfish, French Angelfish, Cherubfish and the Flameback Angelfish. With the exception of the Rock Beauty, each of the fish species has a counterpart with similar size, appearance, behavior and diets. The French and Gray Angelfish do not change sex, are believed to be monogamous and may mate for life. The other angelfish are known to be protogynous hermaphrodites (change sex) and have been observed to live in harems dominated by a single large male. The Queen and Blue Angelfish are similar species and occasionally interbreed, producing a hybrid called the Townsend Angelfish. The hybrid has some features from both species; it may have a crown located on the forehead, but without the jewels or spots inside the crown or perhaps only a half yellow tail. |
| While the other five angelfish grow to over 12 inches in length, the Cherubfish and rare Flameback Angelfish seldom exceed two and one-half inches in length. These miniature angelfish are very similar in appearance and habits. Cherubfish are found throughout much of the tropical western Atlantic. The range of the Flameback Angelfish overlaps with the Cherubfish near Curacao and replaces the Cherubfish south to Brazil. |
| Angelfish are unique because they are one of the very few fish capable of eating sponges. About 95% of the food consumption of the Rock Beauty, Queen and Blue Angelfish is sponges. Approximately 70% of the diets of Gray and French Angelfish are sponges. Sponges are by nature distasteful and indigestible to most fish. The outside layer is bitter and tough. Sponges are supported by prickly, needle-like spicules of calcium or silica which are very irritating. Angelfish have evolved adaptations to handle sponge consumption. They developed strong, protracted jaws lined with overlapping rows of teeth to cut through the tough sponge fiber. Angelfish secrete a thick mucous to coat lumps of sponge in order to protect their stomachs during digestion. Cherubfish and Flameback Angelfish do not eat sponges, but instead compete with damselfish for algae. |
| Angelfish are territorial with regard to mates but not food. Their reproductive behavior may vary with territory and conditions. For instance, Cherubfish appear as monogamous pairs in Florida and the Bahamas while the same species in the southern and eastern Caribbean prefer to have harems dominated by a single large male. |
