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| ROCK BEAUTY (ADULT)
(Holacanthus tricolor
Family Name:
POMACANTHIDAE
Click Name for Family Profile
Size:
This species attains a maximum length of 20 cm (7.9 inches).
Distribution:
Georgia, Bermuda and northern Gulf of Mexico banks to Brazil.
Habitat:
Adults of this species are most common on deep fore reef terraces and drop-offs, where there are dense growths of sponges, gorgonians and the occasional massive coral head. Smaller individuals are often found in shallower water among the branches of fire coral (Millepora spp.).
Reproduction:
The rocky beauty is a protogynous hermaphrodite (females change sex to males) that begins spawning at about 10 cm (3.9 inches) in length. This species displays sexual size dimorphism, with a male being larger than the females in its harem. However, females in some harems may be larger than the males in other harems.
Feeding:
Food habit studies have demonstrated that this fish eats large amounts of sponges. However, this species also spends a considerable amount of time nipping at algae, and will consume the occasional zoanthid. In some locations large aggregations of adults have also been observed raiding the nests of Sergeant Major damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis) to feed on their eggs. The young of this species do not remove parasites from other fishes, like some of the other angelfish species, but instead specialize in feeding on fish mucus. For example, I have seen individuals nip at other angelfishes, damselfishes and the goldentail moray. In the case of the moray, the juvenile rock beauty persistently picked at the slime of the eel. When you consider the fact that morays produce copious amounts of mucus and that they occupy a similar habitat as the juvenile H. tricolor, it may be that eel slime is an important source of nutrition for small rock beauties on the reef. They have also been observed nipping at nocturnal fishes, like squirrelfishes, that occupy caves and crevices during the day.
Behavior:
The rock beauty is shyer than its close relatives, spending a considerable amount of time during the daylight hours hiding in holes and crevices in the reef. Males defend an area that overlaps the feeding territories of two to four females. Females defend their territories from similarly-sized consexuals, but do not exclude smaller females. It has been suggested that the advantage in not driving off smaller females is that when a larger female changes sex it will already have a harem of its own occupying its territory.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This species is easily recognized by its color pattern - adults are yellow overall with a large black saddle and blue pigment on the mouth. Juveniles have a blue-edged black eye spot on the upper back, which gradually expands and covers up to two-thirds of the body and the median fins. Juveniles also lack the dark-colored "lips."
Interaction with Divers:
This species varies in its approachability. In some areas they are very shy and will seek shelter if approached. In other areas they curious and/or bold, and are easy to get close too.
Remarks:
References:
Hourigan & Kelly (1985), Moyer at al. (1983)
| NIKON D2X
50mm 1/60th F7.1 ISO100
jaykaykay
 | What a shot! The little fellow looks as if he has a smile on his face and lovely blue eyes. I know it's only due to the straight on angle from which you took the shot, but it looks almost comical. Your education as to the fish itself is fantastic and very much appreciated...as much so as is the shot. hey mods · » Monday January 1st, @04:56PM
| Charliebrown5
 | Great shot, just out of interest where do you dive. hey mods · » Monday January 1st, @04:58PM
| Stooges Fan
 | Nailed this one. hey mods · » Saturday October 13th, @03:41AM
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