They also have a number of vertical white bars on the body with bright blue margins to the dorsal and anal fins.

[1][2] Holacanthus bermudensis is a benthic species, living close to the seabed where there are areas of sponges, coral, or rock at depths between 2 and 93 metres (6.6 and 305.1 ft).

[2] This species has a diet that comprises largely of sponges although they have been occasionally recorded feeding on tunicates, corals, and algae.

They have the ability to produce loud thumping sounds which are thought to startle predators and draw the attention of conspecifics.

When breeding they spawn by slowly swimming upwards in the water column, moving their abdomens together, and releasing copious amounts of ova and milt.

[4] The eggs take 15 to 20 hours to hatch, the hatchlings being a type of pre-larval stage which is attached to a large yolk sac but which has no functioning fins, eyes or gut.

It is thought that the vivid, contrasting colours of the juveniles may indicate the establishment of a cleaning station to potential clients.