The Belize Barrier Reef is a 190 kilometer long coral reef and part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. This series of coral reefs begins off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and winds its way to Honduras. It is the second largest coral reef system in the world; Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest.
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Holacanthus ciliaris - The queen angelfish inhabits the coral reefs growing in shallow waters. The adults prefer feeding on sponges, algae, and tunicates; the juveniles serve a useful role as cleaners by feeding on the parasites found on larger fish. The body of the queen angelfish is extremely flat and grows to lengths of about 45 centimeters; males are slightly larger than females. Adults usually travel in pairs, suggesting monogamous bonding, but there is also evidence of male angelfish collecting harems of 4 to 5 females.
