Hybridization between the Western Atlantic Angelfishes, Holacanthus Isabelita and H. Ciliaris

The angelfishes Holacanthus isabelita and H. ciliaris were studied to determine the status of angel fishes that possessed coloration intermediate between these species. Due to the lack of consistent meristic differences, analysis was primarily accomplished by using portions of the general color pattern of adults, but gonads, behavior, and relative populations were also investigated. It was found that these intermediate individuals were hybrids between the two above species. The type specimens of Holacanthus ciliaris var. Bermudensis Goode, 1876, and Holacanthus townsendi (Nichols & Mowbray, 1914) were also intermediate and were judged to be hybrids.