There are two species of Aphareus that occur in the Maldives, which can be easily distinguished by their color and size.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 40 cm
color
Blue-grey, tending to purplish above and silvery below. Operculum and preopercle edged with black. Caudal fin dusky, others pale. Variable yellow stripe sometimes seen on forehead.
This species inhabits coral and rocky reefs between depths of 6 and 70 m. It is a solitary predator that primarily feeds on small coral-reef fishes, but also consumes crustaceans.
distinctive characters
This fish has a dorsal fin with 10 spines and 10-11 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays, a pectoral fin with 15-16 rays, and 16-18 gill rakers on the lower limb (including rudiments). Its body is relatively elongate and compressed, the dorsal fin is continuous and not incised at the junction of the spiny and soft portions, and the last ray of both the dorsal and anal fins is prolonged. Additionally, its caudal fin is deeply forked.