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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Odonus niger (Ruppell, 1837)

English Name: Redtoothed triggerfish
Family: BALISTIDAE
Local Name: Vaalan rondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 40 cm
Specimen: MRS/0337/89

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 33-36 rays. Anal fin with 28-31 rays. Pectoral fin with 14-15 rays. Cheeks scaled. Margins of soft dorsal and anal fins distinctly concave. Caudal fin lunate, the lobes greatly prolonged in adults.

Colour: Body deep blue, sometimes very dark, or brownish, or greenish. Teeth red.

Habitat and Biology: Found on upper part of seaward reef below reef edge. Feeds mainly on
zooplankton and also sponges.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Odunus niger is possibly the commonest Maldivian triggerfish. Large groups can be seen swimming up in the water column above the reef slope. At night, and when harassed, they take refuge in small crevices with just their turquoise scissor-like tail showing.

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