Holacanthus passer Valenciennes, 1846
King angelfish
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
Max. size:  35.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 30 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Diurnal grazer on sessile invertebrates and algae but specializes to a larger extent on sponges. Also feeds on plankton. Reproduction occurs in late summer. Females are more territorial and form pair bonds with the males. Oviparous (Ref. 240), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Sometimes forms mixed aggregations with Pomacanthus zonipectus (Ref. 9333). Cleaning behavior has been observed in juveniles.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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