Threespot Angelfish

About

The flagfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus), more commonly known among marine keepers as the threespot angelfish, is one of those species that catches your eye immediately in a display tank. Its vivid yellow body is offset by a crisp black spot on the forehead, another at the base of the dorsal fin, and blue lips that give it an almost painted look. In the wild it ranges across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa out through the Pacific island groups, where it tends to inhabit coral-rich areas and feeds heavily on sponges and tunicates. That diet is worth noting because it means this fish can be a real challenge to convert to prepared aquarium foods. Getting it to accept a varied, sponge-based diet is often the biggest hurdle keepers face. It also has a well-earned reputation for nipping at corals and invertebrates, so reef tanks are generally not the best fit. Given those considerations, it lands solidly in the intermediate care category. Experienced fishkeepers who can meet its dietary needs and house it appropriately will find it a rewarding, personable fish with real presence in a fish-only or FOWLR setup.