Observations of a Probable Hybrid Angelfish of the Genus Holacanthus from the Sea of Cortez, Mexico

Abstract

A probable new hybrid angelfish was observed in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico. Body coloration was olive brown, with a dark orange area behind the head and a vertical white bar posterior to the pectoral fin. The caudal fin was bright orange red, and pelvic fins were pale yellow. Dorsal and anal fin margins were bright blue and pointed. All characters support the hypothesis that the unidentified pomacanthid is a hybrid of Holacanthus passer and H. clarionensis, and we suggest a possible explanation for this interspecific hybridization.