Queen Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
Also called Queen angel.
How to tell it
Electric blue and yellow with a dark 'crown' spot ringed in blue on the nape; all-yellow tail.
- Not a blue angelfish? That one no crown, yellow only on the tail edges. (Blue Angelfish)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 1¾–8" slot (Holacanthus angelfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 1¾–8" slot (Holacanthus angelfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Not a food fish — an aquarium species.
In the app
Point the camera at a queen angelfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about queen angelfish
What is the size limit for queen angelfish?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 1¾–8" slot (Holacanthus angelfish); Florida (Gulf): 1¾–8" slot (Holacanthus angelfish).
How many queen angelfish can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate.
How do you tell queen angelfish from blue angelfish?
Queen Angelfish has this: Electric blue and yellow with a dark 'crown' spot ringed in blue on the nape; all-yellow tail.. Blue Angelfish no crown, yellow only on the tail edges.