POMACANTHIDAE


Apolemichthys xanthurus, 12.5 cm SL
(photo by Koichi Shibukawa)


Apolemichthys xanthurus
(Bennett, 1833)
Threespot Angelfish

D XIII-XIV, 17-19; A III, 17-18; P1 17; LLp 52-54.

Body oblong, deep and compressed; posterior margin of preopercle finely serrate; a long spine at corner of preopercle; subopercle smooth. Soft portions of dorsal and anal fins rounded; caudal fin slightly rounded. Color: blackish dorsally, shading to pale yellowish on abdomen, with a yellow spot above gill opening and a bright yellow caudal fin. Size: maximum length about 15 cm. Distribution: Indian Ocean, from Mauritius to Andaman Sea. Remarks: inhabits outer reef slops and drop-offs at depths of 5-30 m. Found solitary, or in pairs. Feeds on sponges and tunicates.