Parupeneus barberinus (Lacepède, 1801)

English Name: Dash-dot goatfish
Family: MULLIDAE
Local Name: Maa kalhuoh’
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 30cm; max. 50cm
Specimen: MRS/0413/93

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 8 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 8 rays. Anal fin with I spine and 6 rays. Pectoral fin with 16-18 (usually 17) rays. Body depth 3.2-3.5 in standard length. Body slightly elongate. Chin with two slender barbels which are shorter than or equal to snout plus eye. Snout long. 3 vertical rows of scales in space between dorsal fins.

Colour: Pale brown to reddish brown dorsally shading to whitish on sides and ventrally. A dark reddish brown stripe from snout through eye below rear of anal fin. A black spot larger than eye just anterior to midbase of caudal fin.

Habitat and Biology: Mostly found on shallow sandy bottoms, but reported to a depth of 100 m. Feeds mainly on benthic crustaceans and polychaetes.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Parupeneus barberinus like other goatfishes uses its barbels to probe into the bottom in search of food. When prey animals are found it roots into the sand with its snout.

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Parupeneus macronemus (Lacepède, 1801)

English Name: Longbarbel goatfish
Family: MULLIDAE
Local Name: Kandu kalhuoh’
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 32 cm
Specimen: MRS/0068/86

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 8 spines, second dorsal fin with I spine and 8 rays. Anal fin with 1 spine and 6 rays. Pectoral fin rays 15 or 16 (usually 16). Body depth 3.3-3.7 in standard length. Body moderately elongate. Chin with two very long slender barbels reaching to pelvic fin base. Two vertical rows of scales between dorsal fins. Last dorsal and anal rays prolonged.

Colour: Reddish brown, pale ventrally and posteriorly. A black stripe on upper side and a large
black spot on caudal peduncle. Base and rear of second dorsal fin black.

Habitat and Biology: Found on shallow, sandy and weedy bottoms.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Parupeneus macronemus is easily distinguished from other related species by the elongate filamentous last rays of its second dorsal and anal fins, which reach the caudal fin base.

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Parupeneus pleurostigma (Bennett. 1831)

English Name: goatfish
Family: MULLIDAE
Local Name: Lah kalhuoh’
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 30 cm
Specimen: MRS/0066/86

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 8 spines, second dorsal fin with I spine and 8 rays. Anal fin with 1 spine and 6 rays. Pectoral fin with 16 rays. Body depth 3.5-3.9 in standard length. Body moderately elongate. Barbels reaching about to rear margin of preopercle. 2-3 rows of scales in space between dorsal fins. 8 or 9 vertical scale rows along upper part of caudal peduncle.

Colour: Pale yellowish-brown to light red, shading to white or pale pink ventrally. A large round
black spot on lateral line below the gap between dorsal fins with a pale area behind it.

Habitat and Biology: Found near coral reefs. Feeds on henthic invertebrates.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Parupeneus pleurostigmu is a fairly common goatfish in the Maldives. The males of this and other species of goatfishes wriggle their barbels rapidly during courtship.

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Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck, 1765)

English Name: Scrawled filefish
Family: MONACANTHIDAE
Local Name: Fankaa fathirondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 1 m
Specimen: MRS/0496/97

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 2 detached spines and 43-49 rays. First dorsal spine originates over eye. Anal fin with 46-52 rays. Pectoral fin with 13-15 rays. Body elongate and very compressed. Profile of snout concave. Mouth small and upturned. Caudal peduncle deeper than long. Caudal fin rounded and long (longer than head), posterior edge often ragged.

Colour: Olive brown to grey with irregular blue spots and short lines and small black spots.

Habitat and Biology: Seen in lagoons or on outer reef slopes to depths of about 20 m. A shy and solitary species, hut occasionally observed in small groups. Feeds on a wide variety of benthic organisms including algae, sea grasses, hydrozoans, gorgonians, anemones and tunicates.

Distribution: Circumtropical.

Remarks: .4/uterus scriptus is one of the largest of the filefishes. It is similar to A. monoceros, but A. monoceros has a convex dorsal head profile and a bulbous ventral head profile. a much smaller caudal peduncle depth and also a much shorter caudal fin.

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Cantherhines paradilis (Ruppell, 1837)

English Name: Wirenet filefish
Family: MONACANTHIDAE
Local Name: Dhaagandu fathirondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 21 cm
Specimen: MRS/0348/89

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 2 detached spines and32-36 rays. Anal finwith 29-32 rays. Pectoral fin with 12-14 rays. Snout short. Dorsal profile of head slightly concave. First dorsal spine not long. No spines posteriorly on body, but males with a dense patch of setae on side of caudal peduncle.

Colour: Varying from dark brown or mottled dark brown to light grey with numerous brownish orange spots. Faint narrow stripes on head. A small white spot just behind rear base of soft dorsal fin.

Habitat and Biology: Usually seen solitary in outer reef, seagrass and seaweed beds to depths of about 20 m. Feeds on benthic organisms.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Cantherhines paradilis is closely related to C. sandwichensis of Hawaii, and C. pu//us of the Atlantic. A wary fish, like others of the same genus.

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Oxymonacanthus longirostris (Bloch and Schneider, 1801)

English Name: Longnose filefish
Family: MONACANTHIDAE
Local Name: Thundhigu fathirondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 10 cm
Specimen: MRS/0497/97

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 2 detached spines and 32-35 rays. Anal fin with 29-32 rays. Pectoral fin with 11 or 12 rays. Dorsal and ventral profiles concave. Snout slender and protruding.

Colour: Green with numerous dark edged orange spots. A black blotch on caudal fin.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs on protected areas of reef edge and slope to depths of 30 m. Often seen in pairs and sometimes in small groups amongst branched or tabular colonies. Feeds on coral polyps.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Oxymonacanthus longirostris can easily be distinguished from other Maldivian filefishes by its extremely long snout. It is closely related to 0. ha/li, a Red Sea endemic. However, 0. hal/i differs slightly in colour and has a lower fin ray counts. A popular aquarium fish.

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Pervagorjanthinosoma (Bleeker, 1854)

English Name: Redtail filefish
Family: MONACANTHIDAE
Local Name: Dhon kothari fathirondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 16 cm
Specimen: MRS/0282/88

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 2 detached spines and 29-34 rays. Anal fin with 26-30 rays. Pectoral fin with 11-13 (usually 12) rays. Snout short. Dorsal profile concave. First dorsal spine origin over centre or front half of eye. A row of large laterally directed barbs along each lateral edge. Shallow groove for receiving first dorsal spine. Caudal peduncle short and broad.

Colour: Orange-brown with irregular fine longitudinal dark brown lines on body. A dark blotch over gill opening. Caudal fin orange with small yellow spots, the outer border with blue and yellow lines.

Habitat and Biology: Usually seen in shallow coral reefs to 20 m depth. A secretive species.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Pervagorjanthinosoma is closely related to P. a/ternans and P. aspricaudus. P. alternans differs by having a bright yellow ring around eye. P. aspricaudus has numerous tiny black spots rather than narrow black lines on the sides.

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Pseudalutarius nasicornis (Temminck and Schiegel, 1850)

English Name: Rhino filefish
Family: MONACANTHIDAE
Local Name: Hima fathirondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Common to 12 cm; max. 18 cm
Specimen: MRS/0370/9l

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 2 detached spines and 43-50 rays. Anal fin with 41-46 rays. Pectoral fin with 11 rays. First dorsal spine very slender, origin anterior to eye. Pelvic fin rudiments absent. Body slender in juveniles, deep in adults.

Colour: Ground colour palebrown to grey, two brown stripes on body. Adults with closely set yellow spots on head and body, soft dorsal and anal pale yellow, caudal dark brown.
Habitat and Biology: In Maldives, known so far only from depths greater than 40 m, inside North Male Atoll.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Pseudalutarius nasicornis appears to be relatively rare in Maldives, but that may be partly because of its cryptic colouration and behaviour and its relatively deep-dwelling habits.

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Nemateleotris magnifica Fowler, 1938

English Name: Fire dartfish
Family: MICRODESMIDAE
Local Name: Dhidha funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 8 cm
Specimen: MRS/0293/88

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 28-32 rays. Anal fin with I spine and 27-30 rays. Pectoral fin with 19-20 rays. Body depth 4.4-4.9 in standard length. Front of first dorsal fin extremely elongated. Caudal fin rounded.

Colour: Body whitish, shading to bright red posteriorly. A magenta streak on top of head. Spinous dorsal whitish, the basal half of leading edge red. Dorsal and anal fins primarily red, suffused with blackish posteriorly and distally. Caudal fin blackish red with two converging narrow dark olive bands.

Habitat and Biology: Found on the reef slope, hovering above burrows in sandy patches, at depths between 6 to 60 m. Does not stray far from its burrow in to which it quickly darts when frightened. Usually seen in pairs. Feeds on zooplankton, especially copepods and crustacean larvae.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Nemareleotris magnifIca is found in shallower waters than N. decora. N. magnifica can be distinguished from N. decora by the colour patterns and the length of the elongated first dorsal spine which is much longer in N. magnijlca. A popular aquarium fish.

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Nemateleotris decora Randall and Allen, 1973

English Name: Elegant dartfish
Family: MICRODESMIDAE
Local Name: Fan dhidha funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 6cm
Specimen: MRS/0361/91

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with I spine and 27-32 rays. Anal fin with I spine and 28-3 1 rays. Pectoral fin with 20-21 rays. Body depth 4.8-5.7 in standard length. Front of first dorsal fin elongated. Caudal fin emarginate

Colour: Body whitish, shading to deep purple posteriorly. Head whitish except lips, snout, and a broad median dorsal band which are violet. Prolonged anterior part of first dorsal fin orange-red. the leading edge magenta. Median fins coloured like body basally, then mainly orange-red with magenta bands.

Habitat and Biology: Found on the reef slope, hovering above burrows,usually at depths between 25-70 m. Does not stray far from its burrow in to which it quickly darts when frightened. May be seen solitary or in pairs. Feeds on zooplankton, especially copepods and crustacean larvae.

Distribution: Maldives to Western Pacific.

Remarks: Nemateleotris decora is one of the most remarkably coloured dart fishes in the Maldives. The superb colouration of this fish makes it a popular aquarium fish.

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Wattsia mossambica (Smith. 1957)

English Name: Mozambique large-eye bream
Family: LETHRINIDAE
Local Name: Dhon kothari filolhu
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 55 cm
Specimen: MRS/0475/97

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 long, strong spines and 10 rays. Anal fin with 3 strong spines and 10 rays. Pectoral fin with 14 rays. Body depth 1.9-2.2 in standard length. Body deep. Eye moderate in size. Head profile slightly convex. Maxilla with a longitudinal denticulate ridge. A pair of close-set nasal openings. Caudal fin very slightly forked with broadly rounded lobes.

Colour: Overall silvery-grey suffused with yellow. Margins of scales narrowly brownish. Lips whitish to yellow. Fins yellow, faint brown spotting may be present on soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits outer edge of reefs and continental shelves at depths ranging from 100 to 180 m. Feeds on bottom-living invertebrates and small fishes.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Wattsia mosswn/ica is a rather deep-dwelling species, hence it is not encountered very often. It is occasionally caught in Maldives with deep handlines (usually deeper than 70 m) outside the atolls.

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Monotaxis grandoculis (ForsskaI. 1775)

English Name: Humpnose big-eye bream
Family: LETHRINIDAE
Local Name: Dhongu
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 40 cm; max. 60 cm
Specimen: MRS/0l07/87

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 10 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 rays. Pectoral fin with 14 rays. Body depth 2.1 -2.7 in standard length. Bodyoblong. Eyes relatively large. Head profile strongly convex in front of eyes. Cheeks with several rows of scales. Inner base of pectoral fins scaled. Molars present on side ofjaws. Maxilla with a longitudinal denticulated ridge.

Colour: Adults bluish grey above, paler below with centers of scales silvery and a few brownish scales generally present on sides. In life may appear either fairly dark and brown or pale and silvery. Juveniles white with 3 dark dorsal saddles; juveniles lose bars on preservation.

Habitat and Biology: Often seen near coral reefs at depths of 3 to 60 m. Nocturnal. Feeds heavily on molluscs, crabs, hermit crabs and sea urchins. Solitary, but large adults form small aggregations.
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Two distinct colour forms of Monotaxis grandoculis are seen which led to speculation that two species may be involved. Not normally caught by Maldivian fishermen.

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Lethrinus rubrioperculatus Sato, 1978

English Name: Spotcheek emperor
Family: LETHRINIDAE
Local Name: Kalhihi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 30 cm; max. 50 cm
Specimen: MRS/0010/86

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 9 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Pectoral fin with 13 rays. Body depth 3.0-3.4 in standard length. Body moderately elongate. Interorbital space flat or only slightly convex. Wide scaleless area on upper posterior margin of opercle. Eye placed very near dorsal profile. Caudal fin lunate; upper lobe usually longer.

Colour: Body olive-grey or brown with scattered irregular small black blotches. Lips and a spot on upper edge of operculum usually red. Fins pale or pinkish.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits sandy and rubble areas of outer reef slopes to depths of 160 m. Feeds mostly on crustaceans, fish, echinoderms and molluscs.

Distribution: Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Lethrinus rubrioperculatus is a common and widespread species but it is surprising that it was described and named as late as 1978. It was assumed that this species represented the adult form of L. variegatus. However, L. variegatus is much smaller. A good-eating fish.

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Lethrinus harak (Forsskal, 1775)

English Name: Thumbprint emperor
Family: LETHRINIDAE
Local Name: Lah filolhu, Vilu filolhu
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 30 cm; max. 50 cm
Specimen: MRS/P0l 20/87

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 9 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Pectoral fin with 13 rays. Body depth 2.6-2.8 in standard length. Body moderately deep. Posterior lateral teeth include distinct molars in adults. Inner surface of pectoral fin base densely scaled.

Colour: Olive green above and lighter below. Blue spots sometimes under eye and between nostrils. Throat and edge of lips rosy red. A large, black, oblong blotch often with a golden yellow rim present on side of body. All fins pinkish or rosy red. Vertical fins sometimes mottled or striped.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits shallow sandy areas, coral rubbles, mangroves, lagoons and seagrass areas. Most often observed solitary. Feeds on benthic invertebrates, molluscs and small fish.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Lethrinus harak is the least wary species of the genus and can approach easily. It is a common emperor on the shallow reef flats and sea grass areas of the Maldives.

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Lethrinus conchyliatus (Smith, 1959)

English Name: Redaxil emperor
Family: LETHRINIDAE
Local Name: Thun raiy filolhu
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 50cm: max. 76cm
Specimen: MRS/P0134/87

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 9 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Pectoral fin with 13 rays. Body depth 3.2-3.4 in standard length. Body elongate. Eye placed well below the dorsal profile. Snout long and thin, with a distinct hump before eyes. Interorbital space prominently convex. Lips fleshy. not following profile of snout but instead curving outward from the snout.

Colour: Body and head brownish or grey. lighter ventrally. Lips. base and patch above base of pectoral fin and edge of operculum red. Fins orangish, dusky or mottled.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits deeper coastal waters down to depths of 220 m. Feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans.

Distribution: Indian Ocean.

Remarks: Lethrinus conchyliatus resembles the adult form of L. variegatus in general appearance. But L. conehyliatus is much larger in size and has distinctive red marks on edge of opercle. and on pectoral base. In the Maldives this species is mainly caught by handlines during the day.

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Gymnocranius griseus (Schlegel, 1844)

English Name: Grey large-eye bream
Family: LETHRINIDAE
Local Name: Kandu uniya
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 25 cm; max. 30 cm
Specimen: MRS/0072/86

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 10 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 10 rays. Pectoral fin with 14 rays. Body depth 1.9-2.3 in standard length. Body oblong. Dorsal and ventral profile of head evenly convex, or ventral profile slightly straighter. Eyes relatively large. 6 moderate canines in front of each jaw. Posterior part of jaws reaching to about level of anterior nostrils.

Colour: Overall silvery, frequently with a diffused to vivid pattern of 5 to 8 narrow dark bars on side. Often a narrow brown bar across bases of caudal fin. Some adult individuals possess a few scattered blue spots or scribbling on the snout and cheek. Dark subocular bar present.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits coastal waters, usually at depths between 20-80 m, sometimes forms schools. Feeds mainly on henthic invertebrates.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Gymnocranius griseus is characterised by a relatively deep body in both small juveniles and adults. Fishes of this family are food fishes which are marketed fresh or dried and salted.Lohotes microprion Bleeker is ajunior synonym based on the juvenile.

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English Name: Tripletail
Family: LOBOTIDAE
Local Name: Kandu faana, Huifathu mas
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 50 cm; max. 1 m
Specimen: MRS/P0320/88

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 11-13 spines and 13-16 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9-12 rays. Pectoral fin with 17 rays. Body depth 2.0-2.5 in standard length. Body oval to oblong. A single dorsal fin with stout spines and elevated posterior section. Dorsal fin lobe rounded. Preopercle coarsely serrate. Roof of mouth and tongue toothless. Caudal fin rounded.

Colour: Olive to dark brown, mottled with dark spots. Juveniles yellow with darker spots.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits both in coastal areas and in open sea around floating objects. Juveniles may sometimes be seen in very shallow water where they have a resemblance to floating leaves or weeds. Feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crustaceans and small fish.

Distribution: World-wide in tropical and subtropical waters.

Remarks: Adults of Lobotes surinamensis when seen offshore may appear rather like groupers. This explains the fishermen’s name ‘kandufaana (ocean grouper). Juveniles, which are sometimes seen in shallow weedy lagoons, have been called ’huifathu mas’.

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Kuhlia mugil (Schneider, 1801)

English Name: Barred flaglail
Family: KUHLIIDAE
Local Name: Kattafulhi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 20 cm
Specimen: MRS/0027/86

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 9-li rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9-Il rays. Pectoral fin rays 14. Gill rakers on lower limb 23-26. Lateral line scales 48 to 56. Body depth 2.7-3.1 in standard length. Oval, somewhat compressed body. Cheeks and operculum scaly. Lower edge of preopercle finely serrated. Operculum with two spines. Caudal fin forked.

Colour: Overall silvery. Caudal fin with 5 black bands.

Habitatand Biology: Found schooling near reefs affected by surge. Juveniles sometimes in estuaries. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans and small fish.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Kuhlia mugil is not at all shy of humans. It is a nocturnal predator, hut in the daytime it schools in shallow lagoons, often around jetties.

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Kyphosus cinerascens (Forsskal, 1775)

English Name: Snubnose rudderfish, Blue sea chub
Family: KYPHOSIDAE
Local Name: Kirulhiya mas
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 45 cm
Specimen: MRS/0048/86

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 1 1 spines and 1 2 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 11 rays. Pectoral fin rays 17-19. Soft portion of dorsal fin distinctly elevated higher than tallest dorsal spine. Preoperculum very finely serrated with a blunt spine. Snout short and profile steep.

Colour: Dark grey above, lighter below. Longitudinal dark lines on sides. Silvery hand below eye. Fins mainly dark brown.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs in shallow coastal waters. Swims in groups high in water column during the day, but at night it swims alone near the bottom. Omnivorous hut feeds mainly on benthic algae.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Kyphosus cinerascens is very similar in appearance with K. vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimard), but both can be differentiated easily on the basis of fin counts and shape of the dorsal fin. In K. t’aigiensis the dorsal soft rays usually number 14, and are not higher than the dorsal spines.

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Plectorhinchus vittatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

English Name: Oriental sweetlips
Family: HAEMULIDAE
Local Name: Kandu guruva
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 55 cm
Specimen: MRS/0098/87

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 17-20 rays; the second to the fifth spine longest and subequal. Anal fin with 3 spines and 7-8 rays. Lips fleshy, swollen with age.

Colour: Varies greatly with age. Juveniles with connected black blotches that gradually break up in adults into horizontal bands which unite at tip of snout. Pectoral fins black in juveniles, becoming uniform yellow in adults. Median fins with black margin. Tail spotted with age.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits coral reefs and inshore rocky reefs to a depth of 42 m. Adults often form aggregations. Feeds on benthic crustaceans and molluscs. Juveniles extremely active.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Plectorhinchus vittatus is the most commonly seen sweetlips in the Maldivian reefs. Adults not shy of divers butjuveniles tend to hide among coral branches. Juveniles are exported as aquarium fish. This species was previously known as P orientalis.

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Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides Lacepède, 1800

English Name: Harlequin sweetlips
Family: HAEMULIDAE
Local Name: Galu guruva
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 65 cm
Specimen: MRS/P0480/97

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 12 spines and 1 8-19 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch less than 25. Lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age. Scales ctenoid (rough to touch). Height of soft dorsal fin about equal to length of its base.

Colour: Adults overall whitish with numerous brown spots that extend onto most fins. Belly sometimes dusky brownish. Juveniles brown with large dark edged white spots.

Habitat and Biology: Found in coastal waters near reefs to depths of 35 m. Common on rich coral areas of clear lagoons and seawards reefs. Usually seen hovering under ledges and table corals. Feeds primarily at night on crustaceans, molluscs and fish.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Juveniles of Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides appear to mimic a toxic nudibranch or polyclad flatworm. Juveniles also exported as aquarium fish. The family Haemulidae is currently being scientifically revised by Dr. Roland McKay of the Queensland Museum.

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Plectorhinchus albovittatus (Ruppell, 1838)

English Name: Giant sweetlips
Family: HAEMULIDAE
Local Name: Maa guruva
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 1 m
Specimen: MRS/P030l/88

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 18-19 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 7 rays. Pectoral fin 17 rays. Lips greatly enlarged. Caudal fin slightly emarginate.

Colour: Adults dark grey with numerous pale spots and short irregular lines. Usually a broad diffused pale bar just behind pectoral fins, extending onto abdomen. Soft portion of dorsal fin and lobes of caudal fin with large black areas. Anal, pelvic and pectoral fin black or partially black.

Habitat and Biology: Usually seen over reef flats and rubble slopes to depths between 8-50 m. Roams in loose aggregations.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Plectorhinchus albovittatus is the largest species of this family. It is not a particular common species in the Maldives with few records of its occurence. P. obscurum (Gunther) and P. harrawayi (Smith) are synonyms

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Diagramma pictum (Thunberg. 1792)

English Name: Painted sweetlips
Family: HAEMULIDAE
Local Name: Kilanbu guruva
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 90 cm
Specimen: MRS/P048 1/97

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9-10 spines and 17-20 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 7 rays. Pectoral fin with 16-17 rays. Second dorsal spine much longer than the first. 20 to 25 scales between lateral line and dorsal fin origin. Scales small and ctenoid. Mouth small, lips thick.

Colour: Adults light grey with scattered large blackish blotches on sides, white on belly.
Juveniles with conspicuous alternating black and white stripes, and yellowish on headand belly. Stripes eventually break up into spots that disappear in adults.

Habitat and Biology: Found on shallow coastal areas and coral reefs down to a depth of 80 rn. Most common on silty areas. Feeds on bottom invertebrates and fish.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Di grammapicluni can easily be distinguished from other sweetlips by its short. first dorsal spine and second (with the third) abruptly the longest.

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Exocoetus monocirrhus Richardson, 1846

English Name: Barbel flyingfish
Family: EXOCOETIDAE
Local Name: Naruvaa fuihangi
Order: Beloniformes
Size: Max. 20cm
Specimen: MRS/0018/86

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 or 14 rays. Anal fin with 12-14 rays. Their bases opposite to each other. Pelvic fins short, closer to the pectoral fin origin than to anal fin origin. Pectoral fin strikingly long, wing-like. Gill rakers on the first gill arch 2 1-29. Elongated body, its depth usually greater than 20% of standard length. Usually 7 transverse rows of scales between dorsal fin origin and lateral line. Juveniles humpbacked with a single chin barbel and with black pelvic fins.

Colour: Dark bluish above, silvery-white below. Dorsal and pelvic fins greyish.

Habitatand Biology: Pelagic; open ocean waters. Feeds mainly on planktonic organisms.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Like other flying fishes, Exocoetus nionocirrhus is capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for long distances above the surface. It does this to escape from predators such as tunas and dolphin fishes. In this and other species, the lower lobe of caudal fin is elongated and strengthened; it can be dropped down in to the sea surface when flying, and beaten to given an extra boost of flight.

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Exocoetus volitans Linnaeus, 1758

English Name: Tropical two-wing flyingfish
Family: EXOCOETIDAE
LocalName: Hiki fuihangi
Order: Beloniformes
Size: Max. 18cm
Specimen: MRS/0434/93

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13-15 rays. Anal fin with 13 or 14 rays. Their bases opposite. Pelvic fins short. Pectoral fin strikingly long, 70-75% of standard length. Gill rakers on the first gill arch 29-37. Body elongate, thick and somewhat flattened ventrally; its depth usually less than 19% of standard length. Usually 6 transverse rows of scales between dorsal fin origin and lateral line.

Colour: Body dark, iridescent blue dorsally, silvery white ventrally. Pectoral and caudal fins greyish, other fins unpigmented. Juveniles sometimes with black bars.

Habitat and Biology: Pelagic, open ocean waters. Feeds mainlyon planktonic organisms.

Distribution: Circumtropical.

Remarks: Like other flying fishes, Exocoetus vo/itans is capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for long distances above the surface. The seasonal distribution of flying fishes in the Maldivian waters are not well known. However, this species in known to occur in huge numbers off Foah Mulaku every year in November - December, when they are preyed upon by yellowfin tunas and frigate birds.

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Istigobius decoratus (Herre, 1927)

English Name: Decorated goby
Family: GOBIIDAE
Local Name: Nala funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 13 cm
Specimen: MRS/0289/88

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 10-I I rays. Anal fin with I spine and 9-10 rays. Pectoral fin with 17-19 rays. Unbranched caudal rays usually 14. Cheek scaleless. Head length 24-30% of standard length.

Colour: Light brown with rows of white and black spots, the most evident midlateral row of double black spots. A semi-circular dark mark above corner of mouth.

Habitat and Biology: Common on coralline sand near clean coral reefs, at depths to 18 m. Usually seen solitary.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: The colouration of Istigobius decoratus is highly variable with localities. Some species extremely pale while others very dusky. It is sometimes confused with I. ornatus.

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Gobiodon citrinus (RUppell, 1830)

English Name: Fourbar coralgoby
Family: GOBIIDAE
Local Name: Muraka funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 6 cm
Specimen: MRS/0046/86

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 5-6 spines. Second dorsal fin with I spine and 10-I 1 rays. Anal fin with 1 spine and 8-9 rays. Pectoral fin with 17-19 rays. No scales.

Colour: Bright yellow with a pair of vertical blue lines below eyes. Two additional blue lines, one from forehead to edge gill cover and the other across base of pectoral fin. Small black spot just above pectoral fin base.

Habitat and Biology: Usually seen in small groups perched in the branches of live coral to depths of 25 m. Produces a toxic mucus.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Gohiodon citrinus is one of the most commonly exported aquarium fish in the Maldives. It can easily be recognised from other gobies by its colour pattern.

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Gnatholepis anjerensis (Bleeker, 1850)

English Name: Weeping sand goby
Family: GOBIIDAE
Local Name: Veli funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 8 cm
Specimen: MRS/0292/88

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with I spine and 11 rays. Anal fin with I spineand 11 rays. Pectoral fin with 15-17 rays. Mouth horizontal and interior. Lower jaw not projecting. Snout blunt. Cheek with large scales.

Colour: A prominent black bar extending down from eyes.

Habitat and Biology: Common from shallow waterdown to 25 m. Usually seen sitting on sandy bottoms at the base of coral heads.

Distribution: lndo-West Pacific (uncertain).

Remarks: Gnathoepis anjerenisis is very common in the Maldives, but easily overlooked because of its small size and cryptic colouration. The genus Gnatholepsis is in need of revision, so there is considerable confusion over the correct name of this species. and its true distribution.

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Amblygobius semicinctus (Bennett, 1883)

English Name: Half barred goby
Family: GOBIIDAE
Local Name: Baigalhi funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 9 cm; max. 15 cm
Specimen: MRS/0288/88

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines, second dorsal fin with I spine and 13-15 rays. Anal fin with I spine and 12-16 rays. Pectoral fin with 18-22 rays. Gill arch with finger like projections. 10-15 short vertical papillae rows under eye. Operculum with several scales dorsally.

Colour: Brown with pale blue-green spots and dull red spots on dorsal fins and top of head. A dark spot above gill opening and one at upper caudal base. Females with pale bars on abdomen. Males often with pale spots on anal fin.

Habitat and Biology: Commonly found in sheltered, shallow lagoons. Excavates its own burrow. Usually in pairs. Feeds on filamentous algae, small crustaceans and other tiny animals.

Distribution: West Indian Ocean.

Remarks: Amblygobius semicinctus is very common in the sheltered lagoons of Maldivian islands and ring reefs. The family Gobiidae is the largest family of marine fishes in the world, with about 220 genera and 1600 species, of which about 160 genera and 1200 species inhabit the Indo-Pacific region.

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Amblyeleotris aurora Polunin and Lubbock, 1977

English Name: Dawn goby
Family: GOBIIDAE
Local Name: Dingaa funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 11cm
Specimen: MRS/0353/91

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 13 rays. Anal fin with I spine and 14 rays. Pectoral fin with 18-19 rays. Breastandpectoral finbase scaled. Pelvic finconnected at base only. Middle of nape naked, sides scaled forward to above end of operculum.

Colour: White with five light red bars and a bright red diagonal band on cheek. Caudal fin yellow with 3-9 large red spots.

Habitat and Biology: Inhabits mixed sand and rubble bottoms at depths between 5-15 in. Shares a burrow with a snapping shrimp.

Distribution: Known only from islands of Western Indian Ocean, including Seychelles and Maldives.

Remarks: Amblyeleotris aurora, does not dig a hole for itself if there is a snapping shrimp already occupying one nearby, but instead seeks contact with the shrimp. The goby makes sure that its resting position is so arranged that its tail always remain in contact with its partner.

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Gerres oyena (Forsskál, 1775)

English Name: Common silverbiddy
Family: GERREIDAE
Local Name: Uniya
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 15 cm; max. 25 cm
Specimen: MRS/0064/87

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 10 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 7 rays. Pectoral fin with 15 or 17 rays. Body depth 3.0-3.3 in standard length. Body very slender. Second anal spine slender and short, equal to or shorter than eye diameter. Caudal fin deeply forked.

Colour: Pale olive above to silvery below. 7 or 8 faint dusky bars on sides of body, more pronounced in juveniles. Prominent black tips to spinous part of dorsal fin. Caudal fin uniformly dusky.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs along sandy beaches to a depth of 20 m. Also enters estuaries and brackish lagoons. Feeds on small organisms living on sandy bottoms.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Gerres ovena is common in shallow sandy lagoons of Maldives. It was previously misidentified as G. lucidus Cuvier in the Catalogue of Fishes of the Maldives, Vol. 1, page 66.

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Promethichthys prometheus (Cuvier, 1832)

English Name: Promethean escolar
Family: GEMPYLIDAE
Local Name: Kattelhi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 1 m (standard length)
Specimen: MRS/P0329/88

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 17-18 spines. Second dorsal fin with 1 spine, 17-20 rays, followed by 2 finlets. Anal fin with 2 comprised spines, 15-17 rays and 2 finlets. Pectoral rays about 15. Anal fin similar to the second dorsal fin in shape and size. Single lateral line curving sharply down between fourth to seventh dorsal spines.

Colour: Dark brown with violet reflections, fading to dull brown after death. First dorsal fin membrane black, other fins blackish brown.

Habitat and Biology: Oceanic and benthopelagic. Found at depths of 100 to 750 m. Nocturnal. Feeds on a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.

Distribution: Warm waters of Atlantic, Indian and West and Central Pacific Oceans.

Remarks: This record of Promethichthys prometheus is based on a series of photographs of a specimen caught in very deep water by handline off Fuah Mulaku on the nights of 3-4 January 1987.

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Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1849)

English Name: Escolar
Family: GEMPYLIDAE
Local Name: Rongu theyomas
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 2 m (standard length)
Specimen: MRS/P0 185/88

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 8-9 spines. Second dorsal fin with 16-18 rays, followed by 4-6 finlets. Anal fin with I or 2 comprised spines, 12-14 rays and 4-5 finlets. Pectoral fin with 15-17 rays. Body moderately elongate and slightly compressed. Caudal peduncle with large keel flanked by two smaller ones. Lateral line single, distinct and wavy.

Colour: Body uniformly dark brown, becoming almost black with age.

Habitat and Biology: Pelagic and oceanic. Found at depths of 200 m or more. Feeds on a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.

Distribution: Warm oceanic waters of the world.

Remarks: Like other Gempylids, Lepidocybiumflavobrunneum is a moderately deep water fish. However, it does come up to the surface at night. Its flesh is very oily and causes stomach upsets if eaten.

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Gempylus serpens Cuvier, 1829

English Name: Snake mackerel
Family: GEMPYLIDAE
Local Name: Ali tholhi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 1 m (standard length)
Specimen: MRS/P0186/88

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Distinctive Characters; Dorsal fin divided. First part with 26-32 spines, then 1 spine and 11-14 rays, followed by 5-7 finlets. Anal fin with 10-12 rays and 5-6 finlets. Pectoral fin with 12-15 rays. Body greatly elongate and strongly compressed. Two lateral lines. Pelvic fins reduced. Caudal fin forked.

Colour: Uniformly dark grey brown with light metallic reflections. Sometimes a few small black spots on pectoral fin base. Fins dark brown with darker margins.

Habitat and Biology: Oceanic. Occurs at depths to at least 200 m or more. Often found near surface at night, attracted by night light. Feeds on a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.
Distribution: World-wide in warm waters.

Remarks: The specimen of Gempv/us serpens on which this report is made was caught by longline from R.V. ‘Matha Han’ about 30 miles east of Lhaviyani Atoll on 10th February 1988.

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Dunckerocampus multiannulatus (Regan, 1903)

English Name: Many-banded pipefish
Family: SYNGNATHIDAE
Local Name: Galhi kendi venu bandeyri
Order: Gasterosteiformes
Size: Max. 17.5 cm
Specimen: MRS/0243/88

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 20-23 rays. Pectoral fin with 18-22 rays. Trunk rings 16. Tail rings 19-20.

Colour: Numerous narrow brownish red bars present on body. 4-6 dark bands on opercie.
Habitat and Biology: Often found in caves, on the reef slope.

Distribution: Western Indian Ocean.

Remarks: Dunckerocampus multiannulatus is sometimes classified in the genus Doryrhamphus. It is fairly common in the Maldives, but easily overlooked by divers because it lives in small dark caves.

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Doryrhamphus excisus excisus Kaup, 1856

English Name: Bluestripe pipefish
Family: SYNGNATHIDAE
Local Name: Noorongu venu bandeyri
Order: Gasterosteiformes
Size: Max. 8 cm
Specimen: MRS/0244/88

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 21-29 rays. Body rings 17-19. Tail rings 13-17. Subdorsal trunk rings 3-5. Superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous; inferior trunk ridge ending on anal ring; lateral trunk ridge continuous with inferior tail ridge.

Colour: Bluish midlateral stripe on orange to reddish background and small fan like tail.
Habitat and Biology: Occurs in reef crevices.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: D. excisus ahhreviatus is the Red Sea subspecies. The closely related Doryrhamphus bicarinatus has recently been recorded from the Maldives.

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Corythoichthys haematopterus (Bleeker, 1851)

English Name: Redtailed pipefish
Family: SYNGNATHIDAE
Local Name: Venu bandeyri
Order: Gasterosteiformes
Size: Max. 20 cm
Specimen: MRS/0022/86

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 23-33 rays. Trunk rings 16-18; tail rings 32-37. Usually about 14 bars formed by groups of stripes or reticulations. Superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous. Lateral trunk ridges straight, ending near anal ring. Inferior trunk and tail ridges continuous.

Colour: Light yellowish grey. Body with darkbandscomprising small longitudinal lines, sometimes spreadin on to dorsal surface. Caudal fin usually light red.

Habitat and Biology: Common on sandy reef slopes. Often in small groups.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Corythoichthys haernatopterus is of little interest among the aquarists. This species was previously recorded as C. intestina/is in the Catalogue of Fishes of Maldives, Vol.1, page 144.

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Hypoatherina temminckii (Bleeker, 1853)

English Name: Samoan silverside
Family: ATHERINIDAE
Local Name: Thaavalha
Order: Atheriniformes
Size: Common to 7 cm; max. Il cm
Specimen: MRS/0026/86

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Distinctive Characters: Premaxillary bone with long and slender ascending process. lateral process short and wide. Dentary bone highly elevated posteriorly. 2 1-25 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch. Pectora fin with 14-18 rays.

Colour: Greenish above, thin midlateral stripe and abdomen silvery. Usually upper surface of head dark. Fin bases dusky.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs in large schools near the shore during the day, moving out to open water to feed at night.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Hvpoatherina temminckiii is occasionally used as bait. The Dhivehi name ’Keravalha’ is sometimes used by fishermen for small atherinids. Previously recorded as Al/enetta harnesi in the Catalogue of Fishes of the Maldives Vol. 1, page 24.

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Atherinomorus lacunosus (Forster, 1801)

English Name: Hardyhead silverside
Family: ATHERINIDAE
Local Name: Hithiboa
Order: Atheriniformes
Size: Max. 15 cm
Specimen: MRS/0486/97

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Distinctive Characters: Distal end of upper jaw extending backward to vertical through anterior border of pupil. Dentary bone sloping upward and backward, but never elevated posteriorly. Anterior edge of preopercle with a distinct notch above angle. Midlateral scale count 39-44.

Colour: Greenish-grey on back, the scale edges dusky. A silvery stripe on side, its upper edge with an iridescent blue line. Live fish translucent.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs in large stationery schools near the shore during the day. Feeds mostly at night on planktonic eggs, crustaceans and small fish.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Atherino,norus lacunosus is one of the two silverside species that are sometimes used as live bait by Maldivian tuna fishermen. Although it gives a good initial chumming response, the tunas soon stop feeding. The reason for this appears to be the silversides tough scales and bony body, which the tunas find indigestible. As a result, many tuna fishermen oppose the used of silversides as bait.

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Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1766)

English Name: Brown remora
Family: ECHENEIDAE
Local Name: Attamas
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 62 cm
Specimen: MRS/0016/86

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 22-26 rays. Anal fin with 22-24 rays. Pectoral rays 26-30. Body depth about 7.5 in standard length. Body elongate and moderately robust. Depressed head with a sucking disc which does not extend posteriorly as far as end of depressed pectoral fin. Sucking disc with 15-19 laminae. Pectoral fin short and round. Caudal fin emarginate. Scales minute and indistinct.

Colour: Uniform dusky brown to almost black.

Habitat and Biology: In coastal and oceanic waters. Brown remoras attach themselves to a variety of fishes including sharks, marlins and turtles. They feed mainly on scraps that result from the feeding activities of their host. In addition, they sometimes eat parasitic cnistaceans that attach on their host.

Distribution: Circumtropical.

Remarks: The remoras (like Remora remora) are easily distinguished by the sucking disc on the top of the head, which represents a modification of the spinous dorsal fin.

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Coryphaena equiselis Linnaeus, 1758

English Name: Pompano dolphinfish
Family: CORYPHAENIDAE
Local Name: Aila
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 50cm; max. 75 cm
Specimen: MRS/01 18/87

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Distinctive Characters: Single dorsal fin usually with 52-59 rays. Anal fin with 23-29 rays. Pectoral with 18-21 rays. Body depth more than 25% of standard length. Anal fin withconvex outline. Pectoral fin about half of head length.

Colour: Back metallic blue-green in life. Grey after death. Sides silvery with black spots. Juveniles with white edged caudal fin.

Habitat and Biology: Pelagic, inhabits in open waters but also approaches the coasts. Probably resembles C. hipppurus in following ships and forming aggregations. Feeds on small fishes and squids.

Distribution: Oceanic, in most tropical and subtropical waters.

Remarks: Coryphaena equiselis is much rarer than, but so similar to C. hippurus that it has probably been confused with that species. C. hippurus has a more elongatedbody (less than 25% of standard length) and its pectoral fin is Yonger than half its head length.

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Dalatias licha (Bonnaterre, 1788)

English Name: Kitefin shark
Family: DALATIIDAE
Local Name: Kashi neiy miyaru
Order: Squaliformes
Size: To 1 .6 m, perhaps more.
Specimen: MRS/0397/92

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Distinctive Characters: No spines on dorsal fin. First dorsal fin closer to pectorals than pelvics. Second dorsal fin slightly larger than first. Lips very thick and fringed with pleats and grooves. Upper teeth small and needle-like without cusplets. Lower teeth broad andoverlapping, with singular triangular serrated cusps.

Colour: Dark grey or brown.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs in continental and insular shelves ofdepths from 37 to 1800 m, usually below 200 m. Feeds primarily on deep water bony fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. Development is ovoviviparous, with litters of 10 to 16 young.

Distribution: Probably widespread in temperate and tropical waters.
Remarks: Dalatias licha is a deepwater shark and it appears to be rare in Maldives. The set of jaws on which this record is based was taken by a fisherman on L. Esdhoo. This species was previously recorded under the family Squalidae.

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Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758

English Name: Common dolphinfish
Family: CORYPHAENIDAE
Local Name: Fiyala
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 1 m; max. 2 m
Specimen: MRS/0051/86

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Distinctive Characters: Single dorsal fin usually with 5 8-67 rays. Anal fin with 25-30 rays. Pectoral with 17-20 rays. Body depth less than 25% of standard length. Body elongate and compressed. Anal fin with concave outline. Pectoral fin more than half of head length.

Colour: Back brilliant metallic blue-green, shading to golden yellow ventrally with scattered iridescent blue-green spots. Dorsal fin deep blue-green. Caudal, anal and pelvic fins mainly yellow. Brilliant colours fade to silvery grey with black spots and dark fins soon after death.

Habitat and Biology: Pelagic, inhabits open waters but also approaches the coasts. Follows ships and forms aggregations below floating objects. Feeds mainly on fish, but also crustaceans and squids.

Distribution: Circumtropical.

Remarks: Coryphaena hipparus is much more common and larger than the closely related C. equiselis. The common dolphinfish is a renowned game fish caught mainly by trolling a lure near
the surface.

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Paracirrhites forsteri (Schneider, 1801)

English Name: Black side hawkfish
Family: CIRRHTIDAE
Local Name: Thijjehi gaahoa
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 14 cm: max. 22.5 cm
Specimen: MRS/0I 10/87

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 11 rays. Anal tin with 3 spines and 6 rays. Pectoral fin rays 14 (uppermost and lower 7 rays unhranched). Body depth 2.6-2.9 in standard length. Palatine teeth absent. Interorhital space and almost all of snout scaly. A single cirrus from membrane near tip of each dorsal spine. 5 or 6 rows of scales on cheek.

Colour: Body yellowish with a broad blackish stripe on upper side (faint on some individuals, broken into large spots on others: often restricted to rear half of hod). Head and front of body with numerous small dark reddish spots. Occasional individuals dark brown with orange-red spots anteriorly.

Habitat and Biology: Generally lound on reef edge. often seen resting on live coral. Feeds heavily on small fishes. occasionally on crustaceans.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: is a conimun hawkfish in the Maldivian reefs. It is otten seen ‘‘sitting” on
the outer most branches of Pocillopora or Acropora coral heads.

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