POMACANTHIDAE Pygoplites diacanthus (photo by Mark Strickland) Pygoplites diacanthus (Boddaert, 1772) Regal Angelfish D XIII-XIV, 17-22; A III, 17-19; P1 16-17; LR 45-57; GR 5-6 + 12-13. Body oblong, very deep and compressed; a long spine at corner of preopercle; interopercle smooth; a naked band of skin from rear margin of orbit extending down and forward below eye. Soft portions of dorsal and anal fins round; caudal fin rounded. Color: brilliant pattern of alternating dark-edged bluish white and orange stripes on sides which narrow and angle backward in dorsal fin; posterior part of dorsal fin black with numerous tiny blue spots; anal fin orange with blue stripes; caudal fin yellow. Juveniles with a large ocellated dark spot on basal part of soft dorsal fin. Size: maximum length about 25 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, East Africa and Red Sea to Tuamotu Archipelago. Remarks: inhabits coral reefs at depths of 3-30 m. Found solitary, in pairs, or in small groups. Feeds on sponges and tunicates.