English Name: Bludger trevally
Family: CARANGIDAE
Local Name: Mushimas handhi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 90 cm
Specimen: MRSIPO468/97
Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin 8 spines, second dorsal fin with I spine and 28-32 rays. Anal fin with 2 detached spines, followed by 1 spine and 24-26 rays. Breast naked to behind pelvic originand laterally to pectoral origin. Adults with mouth cleft at level of lower margin of eye.
Colour: Olive green above, silvery white below; a fewbrown or golden spots sometimes present midlaterally; opercular spot dusky and usually inconspicuous.
Habitat and Biology: Semi-demersal, generally at depths over 20 m. Large individuals usually solitary,juveniles form small schools. Feeds on crustaceans, cephalopods and fish.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Carangoides gymnostethus is not a common species in the Maldives. This report constitutes the first published record of its occurrence in the Maldives. It is occasionally caught by deep hand-line and bottom long lines. This species was previously known as C. gymnostethoides.