It is endemic to Clipperton Island, a French possession in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

[3] The juveniles are a dark bluish-grey on their bodies, which is marked with a number of vertical blue bars, 2 on the head and 5 on the flanks, these fade as they mature into adults.

The adults are similar, lacking the barring, and have vivid blue margins to the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins.

[6] The specific name honours the American scuba diver, zoologist and underwater photographer Conrad Limbaugh (1925–1960) who played a vital role in the collection of the type.

[7] The Clipperton angelfish has such a remote and restricted distribution that it is extremely scarce in the aquarium trade.