Queen Angelfish

Colorful Camo
The Queen Angelfish is a true underwater gem, known for its shimmering blue body and bright yellow tail. You can spot our Queen Angelfish in the Florida Keys exhibit, where it adds a splash of vibrant color. In the wild, these beautiful fish live in the Western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and coral reefs from Bermuda to Brazil. On a healthy coral reef, their colors help them blend in perfectly, making it easier to hide from predators.
Fun Facts
Did you know there are 86 species of angelfish? At Discovery World, we have two: the Koran Angelfish and the Queen Angelfish. The Koran Angelfish is the bigger one because it’s older, while the Queen Angelfish is still young and small. But don’t let its size fool you—it will grow up to 18 inches long! As they grow, their colors change, too. Young Queen Angelfish have dark blue scales with white stripes, but as they get older, they turn a bright blue with yellow accents and develop a dark spot on their forehead that looks like a crown—hence their name!
Queen Angelfish are fascinating eaters. As juveniles, they help other fish by eating parasites off their bodies, a teamwork strategy called mutualism. The Queen Angelfish gets food, and the other fish stay clean!
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While Queen Angelfish are not endangered, they face threats like coral reef destruction and habitat loss. Thankfully, they’re often bred in aquariums, where they can mate for life and take great care of their eggs. This helps reduce illegal fish catching and ensures aquariums can host these incredible creatures to teach all ages about coral reefs and ocean conservation.
Visit the Florida Keys exhibit and see our Queen Angelfish for yourself. She’s a perfect reminder of the beauty and importance of protecting our ocean.