Blue Ring Angelfish on a Palm Beach reef 9-27-2025

[Catito]

We dove with Pura Vida Divers on 9-27-2025, shallow reefs, 8 a.m. boat. On the second dive, the dive guide found an adult Blue Ring Angelfish (at about 50 feet). It had been spotted on a wreck a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful fish (we have video). Native to Indo-West Pacific. My guess is that it grew too large for someone’s aquarium and was dumped into the Atlantic. Pretty—but not native.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Well, let’s see what kind of underwater havoc this will bring. Hopefully, it was just the one.

Erik

 

[Johnoly]

but not native.

If those are aggressive ear biters like Trigger Fish,,,,It's gonna hurt !!
But Dean & Shana of PVD are excellent protectors of our waters. They'll work on removing it if needed.

 

[Jonah Kowall]

This species had been sighted in the past : blue ringed angelfish (Pomacanthus annularis) - Species Profile

Probably not the same one

 

[The Chairman]

It's a stunner.

 

[RyanT]

Certainly an aquarium dump. Last year I saw a pair of Pacific sail fin tangs off Pompano Beach.

 

[Catito]

We dove with Pura Vida Divers on 9-27-2025, shallow reefs, 8 a.m. boat. On the second dive, the dive guide found an adult Blue Ring Angelfish (at about 50 feet). It had been spotted on a wreck a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful fish (we have video). Native to Indo-West Pacific. My guess is that it grew too large for someone’s aquarium and was dumped into the Atlantic. Pretty—but not native.

 

[Catito]

One more

 

[Dan]

Let’s see if it survives the next winter.