Threespot Angelfish, Apolemichthys trimaculatus (Cuvier 1831)

Other Names: Three-spot Angelfish

A Threespot Angelfish, Apolemichthys trimaculatus, at Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. Source: Ian V. Shaw / Reef Life Survey. License: CC by Attribution

Summary:

A bright yellow angelfish with blue lips, a broad black margin on the anal fin, a black spot on the forehead and an indistinct spot just behind the gill cover. Juveniles lack the spots and have a narrow black band through the eye and golden bars on the side.

Cite this page as:

Dianne J. Bray, Apolemichthys trimaculatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 22 Mar 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/637

Threespot Angelfish, Apolemichthys trimaculatus (Cuvier 1831)

More Info

Distribution	Recorded in Australia from Ningaloo Reef, Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef, Western Australia, Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea, and Escape Reef to Channel Reef , Queensland. Elsewhere, widely distributed throughout the Indian Ocean and the tropical western Pacific Ocean. Solitary or seen in pairs and small groups on outer reef slopes and steep drop-offs, although they also occur found in lagoons and on shallower reefs. Juveniles are secretive and shelter in crevices, usually in depths below 25 m.
Size	25 cm
Feeding	Feeds on sponges and tunicates.
Species Citation	Holacanthus trimaculatus Cuvier 1831, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons 7: 196. Type locality: Moluccas
Author	Dianne J. Bray

Threespot Angelfish, Apolemichthys trimaculatus (Cuvier 1831)

References

Allen, G.R., 1985. Butterfly and angelfishes of the world. Vol. 2. 3rd edit. in English. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany.

Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & Allen, M. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Cairns : Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research 250 pp. figs.

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Allen, G.R., Steene, R.C. & Orchard, M. 2007. Fishes of Christmas Island. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 2 edn, 284 pp.
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Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208.

Endoh, K. 2007. Angelfishes of the World. Two Little Fishies, Inc., Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Kuiter, R.H., Debelius, H. & Tanaka, H. 2003. Pomacanthidae, a Comprehensive Guide to Angelfishes. Melbourne : Zoonetics 206 pp.

Pyle, R. 2001. Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae. pp. 3224-3286 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp.

Pyle, R., Myers, R., Rocha, L.A. & Craig, M.T. 2010. Apolemichthys trimaculatus. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. . Downloaded on 13 October 2013.

Pyle, R.L. & Randall, J.E. 1994. A review of hybridization in marine angelfishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 41: 127-145.

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs.

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs.

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1985. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls.

Steene, R.C. 1978. Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World. Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed Vol. 1 144 pp. 216 figs.