Of the two related species of Aphareus, the larger one appears to dwell deeper in the water and is known as "Fashuvi rankaru mas" in Dhivehi, which translates to "fish with the golden thread gill rakers".
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 80 cm
color
Usually reddish tending silvery below. Edge of maxilla black. Upper jaw edged with black. Fins yellowish to reddish except pelvic and anal fins which are sometimes whitish.
This species is found on coral reefs, rocky surfaces, and sandy substrates at depths ranging from 50 to 100 meters or more. It feeds on small crustaceans, other invertebrates that live in the sand, and fish.
distinctive characters
The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 10-11 rays, with no notch present. The anal fin has 3 spines and 8 rays, the pectoral fin has 15-16 rays, and the gill rakers on the lower limb (including rudiments) are 30-34. The body is relatively slender, there are no teeth on the roof of the mouth, the lower jaw protrudes, and the fins are scaleless. The caudal fin is deeply forked.