Queen Angelfish

Photo: Raphael Forns · CC BY-NC

Queen angelfish are conspicuous throughout the North Channel walls, their electric blue and yellow flanks making them among the most visually striking reef fish in the Caribbean. At Los Testigos they are unusually bold, feeding on sponges in open water rather than retreating to coral crevices as they do on heavily visited reefs. Mated pairs defend sponge-feeding territories along the channel walls, and the density of individuals reflects an intact, sponge-rich reef community.