Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Scientific Name: Apolemichthys trimaculatus
English Name: Threespot angelfish
Creole Name: Papiyon zonn
French Name: Poisson-ange à trois taches
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
Description:
Dorsal spines: 14; Dorsal rays: 16-18; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 17-19.
Small full-bodied and moderately laterally compressed fish. Snout somewhat protuberant with a small terminal mouth. Small, fine incisor/comb-like teeth on both jaws. Long
prominent preopercular spine. Soft dorsal and anal fins high and broad. Caudal fin rounded with fine trailing lobe on upper ray.
Colour. Bright yellow, head body and fins. Blue lips. Black spot on forehead nape and large dark spot on each side of head behind upper end of gill opening. Preopercle
spine pale blue. Basal part of anal fin white, distal half black. Juvenile Three-spot Angelfish are similar to adults, but lack the spots around the head. They have a
narrow black band through eye and a series of golden bars on the side.
Size:
Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 26 cm TL.
Habitat and Ecology:
Inhabits outer coral reef slopes and drop-offs (depth 3-60 m), sometimes found in lagoons and on shallower reefs. Solitary, in pairs or in small groups. Juveniles secretive
and occur below 25 m in reef crevices. Feeds mainly on sponges and tunicates.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap and net fisheries, but is an uncommon component of the catch as it is usually
returned to the water by fishers when caught.
Notes:
In water photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
References:
Anam, R. & Mostarda, E. (2012). FIELD IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO THE LIVING MARINE RESOURCES OF KENYA. UNFAO Rome, 2012. ISBN 978-92-5-107239-4
Australian Museum (2018). Three-spot Angelfish, Apolemichthys trimaculatus (Cuvier, 1831) https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/three-spot-angelfish-apolemichthys-trimaculatus-cuvier-1831/ (27/07/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/6525 (27/06/19).
Pyle, R. et al. (2010). Apolemichthys trimaculatus. The IUCN Red List 2010: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165835A6144569.en. (27/06/19).
Citation:
Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Apolemichthys trimaculatus, Threespot angelfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/apolemichthys-trimaculatus-cuvier-1831/ (edited 13/07/22).