Care: 
Beginner
Diet: 
Omnivorous
Light: 
Medium
Place of origin: 
Western Indian Ocean
AKA: 
HOlacanthus acanthops - Xiphipops acanthops
Western Indian Ocean, east Africa from the Aliwal Shoal near Durban to Gulf of aden, Oman, Madagascar, and to the Maldives. Prefers reef and rubble areas with good algae growth where in small loose groups on substrates to depths of at least 40m, depending on the region. Mainly deep in the Aliwal Shoal and more shallow in coral regions. Lower fins and body mostly deep blue, bright yellow on head continuing over back and dorsal fin. Tail is also yellowish, and there is a thin blue ring around ey. Length to 8 cm.
They are commonly referred to as pygmy angelfishes, due to their generally much smaller size than other angelfish genera. The species are variably distributed in tropical and subtropical seas of the world. Few have large geographical distributions and some are endemic to tiny oceanic outposts, an island , or small island group. They occur on algal-rocky and coral reefs, and most species live in shallow waters at depths to about 15m,  but some range to 70m or more, and a few inhabit only depths of more than 50m. Pygmy angelfishes are quick-darting and often shy species that hug the substrates with tunnels and crevices, ready to disappear and appear again several metres away.