King Angelfish

Photo: David R · CC BY-NC

The king angelfish is among the most dramatically colored reef fish in the Eastern Pacific, and Banks Bay holds some of the highest densities in the Galapagos thanks to the site's rich invertebrate food supply and minimal fishing pressure. Adults display a vertical white band against a dark body with vivid orange caudal and anal fins, while juveniles are uniformly orange with blue trim — two color forms so different they were once described as separate species. They are territorial and bold, often approaching divers and hovering in display at close range, making them among the most reliable subjects for wide-angle photography on the Fernandina reef.