Yellowface angelfish
Pomacanthus xanthometopon
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Yellowface angelfish
- Scientific
- Pomacanthus xanthometopon
- Dhivehi
- ބޯރީނދޫ ކޮކާމަސްBoa reendhoo kokaamas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 38 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 45 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 5 to 30 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2009
Description
A spectacular angelfish with a blue face covered in dark spots, a broad yellow mask across the eyes, dark yellow-edged scales giving a greenish look, yellow pectoral, dorsal and tail fins and a black eyespot at the rear of the dorsal fin. It lives near caves on steep drop-offs and in sheltered lagoons and feeds on sponges and soft corals.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name boa reendhoo kokaamas (MRS 1997). MRS rates it one of the most spectacular Maldivian reef fishes.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Pomacanthus-xanthometopon.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=5662&GenusName=Pomacanthus&SpeciesNam
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ބޯރީނދޫ_ކޮކާމަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Pomacanthus_xanthometopon_2.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Boa reendhoo kokaamas' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) gives a different name: 'Kukuraa kokaa'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ބޯރީނދޫ ކޮކާމަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FLAG: sources disagree; needs a Dhivehi speaker. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.