The Masked Angelfish is endemic to Hawaii and is usually
found in deep waters to 200 feet. It can be found in less deep
waters in the northern Hawaiian Islands. The male pictured at left was
photographed at Midway Island. The male and female pictured below are
from the Waikiki aquarium.
Males have orange coloration on the head
and fins, while females only have orange at the tip of the pelvic
fin. Masked angels feed on plankton in the wild. The young all have female coloring.
Males dominate a harem of females. Masked Angels are not found in
the aquarium trade and collecting is restricted in many areas.
Specimens sold for aquariums would be rare, high priced and detrimental to
the viability of the species in the wild.
Female Male
