ROCK BEAUTY . Holacanthus tricolor . BAHAMAS REEF FISH
These creatures are a small species of angelfish. Seen swimming around the reefs they are unmistakeable, not least because of their bright yellow hi-viz jackets, remarkable blue eyeliner and blue-black lipstick.
Rock Beauties look like prime candidates for anyone’s aquarium, but they have picky dietary requirements and a tendency for aggression that make them unsuitable (fortunately for them).
They are highly specialised feeders, needing marine sponges in their daily diet. They are also prone to chase tank-mates and nip them. On balance, they look more fetching nosing about the coral anyway.
WHAT DO JUVENILES LOOK LIKE?
Juvenile rock beauties are cute mini-versions of the adults, only even more yellow and with yellow lips.
In development stages, they may have a vivid blue and black circle in front of the tail fin…
… or a large dark patch on their sides
NOT A TRUE ‘ROCK BEAUTY’ (no offence, Lita)
A TRUE ROCK BEAUTY
Credits: Melinda Riger, Grand Bahama Scuba; WP