This is believed to be the first picture ever taken of rare French angelfish gliding elegantly through Bermuda's waters

The elusive but spectacular species were released in local seas more than 80 years ago.

Since then there have been very occasional sightings, but nobody has caught them on camera in Bermuda ? until now.

The team that found them included avid diver and marine photographer Bob Steinhoff, who is also president of the Bermuda Zoological Society.

He was with friends Russell Whayman and John Burville, director of Bermuda Biological Station, exploring a sunken wreck off the East End when they discovered the rare treasures.

And the prized sighting meant years of patience finally paid off for Russell, who first saw the dazzling angelfish three years earlier and had been searching for them again ever since.

Marine experts rate the find highly. They think these French angelfish have not yet established themselves in Bermuda's waters, despite the odd sighting of the black fish boasting vibrant yellow highlights.

They are not native to Bermuda, but some were released in local waters in 1924 by the then-Aquarium curator, Louis L. Mowbray.

Things went quiet on the French angelfish front until 1968 when Bailey's Bay fisherman Linwood Outerbridge brought one to the Aquarium that had been caught in a trap on the north reefs.

No further sightings were reported until three years ago. Then, Russell and fellow diver Mark Bloomfield saw what they thought was a pair of the species at a wreck off the east end.

They didn't have cameras, but returned to the site several times in the hope of catching another glimpse, without success. But that perseverance paid off when Russell, camera in hand and this time diving with Bob and John, spotted the pair again.

Experts reckon it is impossible to tell whether these two French angelfish were relatives of those released here some eight decades ago.

Patrick Talbot, acting curator at the Aquarium and Zoo, said: "It is highly unlikely that these fish are descendants of the original stock brought in by Mowbray, but (they are) probably recruits off the Gulf Stream.

"The Gulf Stream is believed to be a major vector contributing to our fish stocks by depositing larval fish from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean onto our shores."

He added: "It is encouraging to see natural recruitment still taking place; it is also encouraging that people are taking notice."

Experts said that unlike the red lionfish, recently introduced by man into the Atlantic from the western Pacific, the French angelfish would be a welcome addition to Bermuda's marine biodiversity.

Divers who spot French angelfish should report their discoveries to Lisa Greene, collections officer at the Aquarium, on 293-2727.