Smugglers of marine wildlife often mix illegal animals with similar-looking legal imports, hoping the authorities won't notice, said Samuel Jojola, an agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The smugglers likely planned to sell the fish to collectors for profit, according to Jojola.

The clarion angelfish comes only from a very small geographic area—the islands on the southern tip of Baja California.

The combination of its rarity and beautiful coloration make it a prized commodity for U.S. fish collectors.

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