Angelfishes can be differentiated from Butterflyfishes by the large, backward pointing spine on their gill covers. The small, shy angelfishes in Hawaii spend most of their lives among coral, seldom going far from cover. However, several larger species, the Bandit Angelfish and the Masked Angelfish swim boldly out in the open. Most angelfishes are territorial.

Bandit Angelfish
(Holocanthus arcuatus)

This endemic angelfish is white-gray with a bold black band like a robbers mask passing the length of its body through the eyes. Its color pattern is unique among angelfishes. It feeds on sponges and can usually be found out in the open at around 100 feet.

Flame Angelfish
(Centropyge loriculus)

This is a shy, small and beautiful angelfish. It is bright red with dark vertical bars on its body and blue trim on the rear fins. Males show a deeper blue. They are found among shallow, rocky areas but prefer strands of finger coral at a60 or more feet. They will stay in the same area for months. One was even at one site a year later. I can't tell you how many dives we have spent trying to get a good shot of these rare beauties, but they are just too shy to approach near enough with my Nikonos close-up lenses. This year I have an underwater housing that will allow me to be farther away and therefore less of a threat. I include these two terrible photos just to give you an idea of their beauty.