English Name: Semicircular angelfish
Family: POMACANTHIDAE
Local Name: Baiburu kokaamas
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 38 cm
Specimen: MRS/P0335/88
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 20-23 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 18-21 rays. Pectoral fin rays 19-21. A filament posteriorly on dorsal and anal fins.
Colour: Greenish body with dark flecks. Bright blue streaks on cheek, and the posterior part of the body with a blue outline. Lips yellow. Juveniles dark blue with white andpale blue crescents on their sides.
Habitat and Biology: Adults occur in coastal reefs with heavy coral growth to depths of 30 m.
Generally solitary, but sometimes seen in pairs. Feeds on sponges, tunicates and algae.
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.
Remarks: Pomacanthus semicirculatus is rare in the Maldives. However, one pair lived on the wreck of ‘Maldive Victory’ near Hulhule for several years.