Threespot Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus)

The Threespot Angelfish is a strikingly beautiful large marine angelfish distributed across the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, featuring a brilliant yellow body accentuated by a distinctive blue-lipped mouth, a black spot on the forehead, and dark smudges near the gill covers — the three 'spots' of its name. While more regularly available than some genus mates, it remains a challenging aquarium subject due to its preference for sponges, tunicates, and other encrusting organisms in the wild.

Requires a very large FOWLR aquarium (500 L minimum) with extensive live rock bearing natural sponge and tunicate growth. Feed a varied diet that includes sponge-based angelfish foods, frozen mysis, Spirulina, and algae sheets — transitioning wild fish to prepared foods can be slow and requires patience. Not suitable for reef aquariums as it will consume sponges, corals, and clam mantles. Water quality must be pristine.