Dr. Robert A. Patzner, Österreich
Info
Holacanthus tricolor also known as Rock beauty is associated with clear, shallow reef habitats of the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. It is found from the US-coast of Georgia to Bermuda and the Bahamas, and from Florida to southeastern Brazil.
The Rock beauty inhabits rock jetties, reef rubble, and coral reefs to depths of 100 m. Juveniles reside among fire corals or hide in crevices and shells Holacanthus tricolor is known as very territorial, rarely venturing more than a few feet from their protective shelter. Adults also establish and patrol territories on the reefs.
Holacanthus tricolor is easily distinguished from other members of the family by its distinctive black and yellow coloration. The head and tail are bright yellow, and this yellow creates a border around the black body. The lips, eyes, and margins of the dorsal and anal fins are an iridescent blue and the caudal fin is entirely yellow. Front edge of the anal fin and edge of gill cover are orange. The upper and lower part of the iris is bright blue. Lips are black. The juveniles share the same colors of the adults but not the same pattern. The juvenile is entirely bright yellow except for a small blue-ringed black spot under the dorsal fin.
The Rock beauty is a feeder upon live sponges in the wild, but they have been known to occasionally snack on corals, tunicates, and algae. Since Holacanthus tricolor survives on sponges so make sure you can get the right food in captivity.
Synonyms:
Chaetodon tricolor Bloch, 1795
Holocanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)
Pomacanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)
The Rock beauty inhabits rock jetties, reef rubble, and coral reefs to depths of 100 m. Juveniles reside among fire corals or hide in crevices and shells Holacanthus tricolor is known as very territorial, rarely venturing more than a few feet from their protective shelter. Adults also establish and patrol territories on the reefs.
Holacanthus tricolor is easily distinguished from other members of the family by its distinctive black and yellow coloration. The head and tail are bright yellow, and this yellow creates a border around the black body. The lips, eyes, and margins of the dorsal and anal fins are an iridescent blue and the caudal fin is entirely yellow. Front edge of the anal fin and edge of gill cover are orange. The upper and lower part of the iris is bright blue. Lips are black. The juveniles share the same colors of the adults but not the same pattern. The juvenile is entirely bright yellow except for a small blue-ringed black spot under the dorsal fin.
The Rock beauty is a feeder upon live sponges in the wild, but they have been known to occasionally snack on corals, tunicates, and algae. Since Holacanthus tricolor survives on sponges so make sure you can get the right food in captivity.
Synonyms:
Chaetodon tricolor Bloch, 1795
Holocanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)
Pomacanthus tricolor (Bloch, 1795)
