Hawaiian Reef Fish and Potter’s Angelfish

The Potter’s Angelfish (Centropyge potteri) is one of the the most commonly seen Hawaiian reef fish. This endemic fish gained its scientific species name (potteri) after former Waikiki Aquarium director Frederick Potter who ran the aquarium from its founding in 1903 to 1940.

It grows up to 5 inches in length, and is rusty orange overall darkening to a blackish-blue color below. The bluish colors are more pronounced in males, and the females show more orange. They have many irregular, grayish-blue vertical lines running the length of the body. The edges of the rear fins are striped horizontally with bright blue and black. The Potter’s Angelfish is usually seen in pairs or in small groups of a male and several females in clear water at depths of 10 to 150 feet under ledges or on reef slopes with plenty of shelter holes.