Flagfin Angel EXPERT (Apolemichthys Trimaculatus)
Also Known As: Threespot Angelfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The Flagfin Angel (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) is a bold, eye-catching medium-to-large angelfish with a color palette that stands out even in a heavily stocked display. Its body is a rich lemon-yellow with a deep blue to purplish patch around the mouth (almost like lipstick), a dark spot on the forehead, and another on the upper side of the body — the three marks that give rise to its alternate common name. The dorsal and tail fins carry blue edging, and many specimens show a subtle violet wash along the upper body that really comes alive under strong aquarium lighting. Temperament-wise, this species tends toward semi-aggressive as it matures, and may show dominance toward smaller or similarly shaped tankmates — particularly other angelfish. It's not considered reef safe, as it frequently nips at LPS corals, soft corals, and clam mantles, making it best suited to a FOWLR setup or a very cautiously curated system where some coral risk is acceptable.
Aquarium Requirements
A 125-gallon or larger mature aquarium gives this active, territorial fish the space it needs to settle in without constantly butting heads with tankmates. Ample live rock with caves, arches, and overhangs supports its natural grazing behavior and gives it territory to claim, while generous open swimming space lets it move the way it wants to. Strong, well-oxygenated flow and robust filtration are important — this is a substantial fish with a bioload to match. Diet should be varied and sponge-forward: high-quality sponge-based angelfish preparations, marine algae or nori, quality pellets, and meaty foods like mysis and finely chopped seafood will support its long-term health, coloration, and immune function.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Smd: 2-3", Md 3-4", Lg 4-5"
Diet: Omnivore; sponge-based angelfish foods, marine algae, mysis, chopped seafood, quality pellets
Origin: Indo-Pacific, including East Africa to the Western Pacific
Care Level: Advanced
Reef Safe: No; known to nip at corals and clam mantles
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial, especially toward other angelfish
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Special Considerations: No special substrate requirement; best kept as the primary angelfish in the display; requires excellent water quality, strong filtration, and careful tankmate selection
Pairs well with
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.