The bright yellow Apolemichthys trimaculatus is fairly common in Maldivian reefs and is a popular aquarium fish, whereas the similar A. armitagei is much rarer and has a dull yellow coloration, lacking the spot behind the eye but having a black posterior tip on the dorsal fin.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 21 cm
color
Bright yellow; blue lips; black spot on nape above eye. Broad black margin to anal fin. Young with a black spot at base of soft dorsal fin and a dark bar through eye.
order
Perciformes
family
Pomacanthidae
habitat and biology
This species is commonly spotted on the outer edges and sloping areas of reefs at depths of 15 meters. Its diet mainly consists of sponges and sea squirts.
distinctive characters
This fish has a dorsal fin with 14 spines and 16-18 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 17-19 rays, and a pectoral fin with 17 rays, with a body depth of 1.6-1.8 inches in standard length.