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Butterfly-fishes
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BODY strongly compressed, elevated, orbicular, covered with moderate-sized or small scales, which are finely ciliate or nearly smooth; lateral line present, concurrent with the back, not extending on caudal fin; mouth small, terminal, protractile; maxillary very short, irregular in form, divided in two by a longitudinal suture.
Carnivorous fishes of the tropical seas, noted for their singular form, bright colours and great activity. There are 8 or 10 genera and nearly 200 species. They are exceedingly active and their quickness of sense and motion enable them to maintain themselves in the struggle for existence in the close competition that exists among the species about coral reefs notwithstanding their bright colours. In our waters are found about 20 species, only a few of which are large enough to be ranked as food-fishes. On account of their shape, as well as their brilliant colours, most of the species are known as butterfly-fishes, or mariposas where Spanish is spoken.
The genus Pomacanthus contains 3 species, each of some importance as a food-fish. P. arcuatus, the black angel, is generally common in the West Indies and is occasionally taken as far north as New Jersey, and south to Bahia. It is not rare at Key West and was found by us in Cuba and Porto Rico. It attains a length of nearly 2 feet and a weight of several pounds. Those seen at Key West do not usually exceed 2 or 3 pounds. It is present there throughout the year and is caught chiefly in traps, though it is sometimes speared.
P. paru, the Indian fish, is found among the West Indies and southward, but has not yet been recorded from the United States. P. zonipectus is the west coast representative of the genus. It is rather common about rocks from Mazatlan to Panama.
The genus Holacanthus has numerous species, two of which are of considerable food-importance. The most important species is the rock beauty or palmoneta, H. tricolor. It is a most beautiful and interesting fish, rather common throughout the West Indies and north to the Bermudas, but it has not been found in the United States. Elegant specimens were obtained by us at Arroyo and Isabel Segunda, Porto Rico, where it is not rare. It reaches a foot or more in length and is used as food.
Colour in life, caudal, pectoral and ventral fins and anterior third of body rich orange-yellow; rest of body black; lips pale blue; soft dorsal and anal fins black, tipped with orange and bordered in front by red; spinous part of dorsal orange in front, then black, the border red.
Holacanthus ciliaris is the blue angel-fish and is found throughout the West Indies and north to Key West where it is called the "yellow angel," which is justified by the broad yellow margins of the scales. It reaches a foot to 18 inches in length and is a very beautiful fish. It is a fair food-fish, usually taken in traps, though it sometimes takes the baited hook.