Explore
Marine Life

Marine Life

Fish, coral, rays and other marine species documented in Maldivian waters.

370
entries
NameDhivehiScientificSummary
Adorned wrasse
Nala hikaa
Halichoeres cosmetusHalichoeres cosmetus, which derives its name from the Greek word meaning "adorne…
African basslet
Africa faana
Liopropoma africanumLiopropoma africanum has previously only been reported once from the Maldives, b…
African pompano
Naruvaa handhi
Alectis ciliarisThe similar A. indicus also occurs in the Indian Ocean, and is distinct from Ale…
Almaco jack
Andhun mas
Seriola rivolianaThe distinctive dark eye bar of Seriola rivoliana gives this species its local n…
Ambon sharpnosed puffer
Haluvi thaakihaa koli
Canthigaster amboinensisCanthigaster amboinensis is one of the faster-swimming species of the genus and …
Areolate grouper
Thijjehi faana
Epinephelus areolatusEpinephelus areolatus is an attractive species, characterized by its pale brown …
Axil spot hogfish
Lah kothari hikaa
Bodianus axillarisThe species Bodianus axillaris undergoes a remarkable colour change as it grows,…
Backspine cowfish
Kashi gonu
Lactoria fornasiniLactoria fornasini, like other cowfishes and boxfishes, is a slow swimmer that p…
Banana fusilier
Mas muguraan
Pterocaesio pisangPterocaesio pisang is a bait of major importance for tuna fishery in the Maldive…
Barbel flying fish
Naruvaa fulhangi
Exocoetus monocirrhusExocoetus monocirrhus, like other flying fishes, is capable of leaping out of th…
Barcheek trevally
Thimara handhi
Carangoides plagiotaeniaMany of the trevallies and jacks are difficult to tell apart, but Carangoides pl…
Barred flagtail
Kattafulhi
Kuhlia mugilKuhila mugil is not shy of humans at all; during the day, it can be found school…
Barred thicklip wrasse
Galhi kendi thunbodu hikaa
Hemigymnus fasciatusThe Hamigymnus fasciatus feeds by taking mouthfuls of sand, sorting the material…
Batu coris
Galhi kendi hikaa
Coris batuensisCoris batuensis, sometimes referred to as C. schroederi (a synonym), is very clo…
Bearded soapfish
Saiboani faana
Pogonoperca ocellataPogonoperca ocellata, like other soap fishes, secretes copious quantities of muc…
Bengal snapper
Reendhoomas
Lutjanus bengalensisThe Lutjanus bengalensis is very similar in appearance to the Lutjanus kasmira; …
Bennett’s butterflyfish
Faiymini bibee
Chaetodon bennettiThe beautiful Chaetodon bennetti butterflyfish is difficult to maintain in an aq…
Bicolor blenny
Dheburi dhekula venfunna
Ecsenius bicolorThe Ecsenius bicolor, with its three distinct color phases, is a favorite among …
Bicolour cleaner wrasse
Dhon theyofulhi mas
Labroides bicolorLabroides bicolor, the largest of the genus, is a cleaner wrasse that is more in…
Bigeye scad
Mushimas
Selar crumenophthalmusThe widespread species Selar crumenophthalmus is commonly found in shallow lagoo…
Bigeye thresher shark
Loabodu kandi miyaru
Alopias superciliosusAlopias superciliosus can be easily distinguished from other species of thresher…
Bigeye trevally
Haluvimas
Caranx sexfasciatusCaranx sexfasciatus is mainly caught by night handline and is commonly found on …
Bigeye tuna
Loabodu kanneli
Thunnus obesusBigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is similar to and often confused with yellowfin tun…
Bignose shark
Mendhan miyaru
Carcharhinus altimusCarcharhinus altimus is considered to be a bottom-dwelling shark, and in the Mal…
Bird wrasse
Theyofulhi hikaa
Gomphosus caeruleusThe Gomphosus caeruleus is easily distinguishable from other Maldivian fish spec…
Black and white snapper
Foniyamas
Macolor nigerJuveniles of the two species of Macolor, Macolor niger and Macolor macularis, ar…
Black-backed butterflyfish
Kalhali bibee
Chaetodon melannotusThe common species Chaetodon melannotus, which has an exquisitely patterned body…
Blackedged pufferfish
Fukkoli
Arothron immaculatusArothron immaculatus, like other pufferfishes, is capable of inflating its body …
Blackfin squirrelfish
Kalhu kothari raiverimas
Neoniphon opercularisNeoniphon opercularis is the largest and most common species of its genus in the…
Blackflag sandperch
Kalhu kothari alathandu
Parapercis signataDivers rarely encounter Parapercis signata due to its deep-dwelling habits, and …
Black marlin
Kalhu mas hibaru
Makaira indicaMakaira indica can be easily distinguished from M. mazara by its rigid pectoral …
Black pyramid butterflyfish
Oimathi bibee
Hemitaurichthys zosterHemitaurichthys zoster is very common in the Maldives and is unusual for a butte…
Black-saddled coralgrouper
Kula olhufaana
Plectropomus laevisThere has been confusion in the past in identifying Plectropomus laevis due to i…
Black side hawkfish
Thijjehi gaaboa
Paracirrhites forsteriParacirrhitus forsteri is a common hawkfish found in the Maldivian reefs, often …
Blackspot sergeant
Burandha
Abudefduf sordidusAbudefduf sordidus is a very hardy aquarium fish, but it is not very colorful an…
Black striped cardinal fish
Fulhaarongu boadhi
Apogon nigrofasciatusApogon nigrofasciatus has been called A. aroubiensis Hombron and Jacquinot, but …
Blacktail snapper
Dhon mas
Lutjanus fulvusThe blacktail snapper, Lutjanus fulvus, with its fine grey-yellow colouration, i…
Blacktip grouper, Red banded grouper
Raiy galhi faana
Epinephelus fasciatusThe red bands on the sides of Epinephelus fasciatus can be turned on and off qui…
Blacktip reef shark
Uraha kalhu miyaru, Falhu miyaru
Carcharhinus melanopterusCarcharhinus melanopterus is a shallow water species, commonly seen by snorkeler…
Blacktip shark
Thun hima miyaru
Carcharhinus limbatusFour specimens of Carcharhinus limbatus have been recorded in the Maldives only …
Blacktip soldierfish
Kalhu kothari dhanbodu
Myripristis melanostictaMyripristis melanosticta is a moderately deep-dwelling species, and is the secon…
Black trevally
Kalha handhi
Caranx lugubrisCaranx lugubris is likely to be confused with C. ignobilis, but can be distingui…
Black triggerfish
Kalhu rondu
Melichthys nigerMelichthys niger is very similar in appearance to M. indicus, which was mentione…
Blotcheye soldierfish
Kothari reendhoo dhanbodu
Myripristis berndtiMyripristis berndti is most likely to be confused with M. murdjan, however, they…
Bludger trevally
Mushimas handhi
Carangoides gymnostethusThis species, previously known as Carangoides gymnostethoides, is not commonly f…
Blue-and-yellow grouper
Dhon noo faana
Epinephelus flavocaeruleusWith its very distinctive color pattern, Epinephelus flavocaeruleus is one of th…
Blue-faced angelfish
Boa reendhoo kokaamas
Pomacanthus xanthometoponPomacanthus xanthometopon is one of the most spectacular Maldivian reef fishes, …
Bluefin trevally
Fani handhi
Caranx melampygusCaranx melampygus is the most common jack found on Maldivian reefs, and it is kn…
Blue-green chromis
Nilamehi
Chromis viridisChromis viridis is commonly used as bait for pole and line tuna fishery in the M…
Blue shark
Max. 3.8 m
Prionace glaucaThe Prionace glauca is the widest-ranging chondrichthyian, but it is not very co…
Blue snapper
Noomas
Paracaesio sordidusParacaesio sordidus can easily be distinguished from the related Paracaesio xant…
Bluespotted cornet fish
Onugandu tholhi
Fistularia commersoniiFistularia commersonii is a more active swimmer than other cornet fishes, and wa…
Blue sprat
Hondeli
Spratelloides delicatulusSpretelloides delicatulus is widely used as bait for pole and line tuna fishing …
Bluestriped fangblenny
Fansooru mas
Plagiotremus rhinorhynchosPlagiotremus rhinorhynchos, which was previously recorded under the genus Runula…
Bluestriped snapper, Kashmir snapper
Dhon reendhoomas
Lutjanus kasmiraThis common species, Lutjanus kasmira, can be distinguished from L. bengalensis …
Bluestripe herring
Gumbalha
Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatusHerklotsichthys quadrimaculatus forms large schools during the day in shallow la…
Bluestripe pipefish
Noorongu venu bandeyri
Doryrhamphus excisus excisusThe Red Sea sub-species D. excisus abbreviatus has been identified, and its clos…
Blue surgeonfish
Noo kaalhu
Acanthurus leucosternonAcanthurus leucosternon is a popular species among aquarists, primarily due to i…
Blue trevally
Dhabaru handhi
Carangoides ferdauThe many golden spots on the sides of Carangoides ferdau give it its Dhivehi nam…
Bluntheaded wrasse
Baiypen hikaa
Thalassoma amblycephalumT. melanochir (Bleeker) is a synonym based on the terminal male of Thalassoma am…
Bluntnose sixgill shark
Madu miyaru
Hexanchus griseusHexanchus griseus is commonly caught in the fishery for deepwater spiny dogfish,…
Boomerang triggerfish
Dhon falhu rondu
Sufflamen bursaThe common inhabitant of Maldivian reefs, Sufflamen bursa, can be easily disting…
Brown-marbled grouper
Kas faana
Epinephelus fuscoguttatusEpinephelus fuscoguttatus is often confused with E. polyphekadion (previously kn…
Brown remora
Attamas
Remora remoraThe Remora remora is easily distinguished by the presence of a sucking disc on t…
Brown-spotted grouper
Kulhandhuru faana
Epinephelus chlorostigmaEpinephelus cholorostigma is often confused with E. areolatus, but the latter ca…
Brown-spotted sandperch
Mushi thiki alathandu
Parapercis millepunctataParapercis millepunctata is the most common species of the genus at many localit…
Brown tang, Brushtail tang
Kalhu dhunfaiy mas
Zebrasoma scopasZebraomorpha scopas is one of the most common Maldivian reef fishes, but its rat…
Brown triggerfish
Mushi rondu
Sufflamen fraenatusSufflamen fraenatus is a species that dwells relatively deep in the ocean, with …
Bullet tuna
Geburu raagondi
Auxis rocheiAuxis rochei is similar in appearance to A. thazard, but differs in a number of …
Camouflage grouper
Kula faana
Epinephelus polyphekadionEpinephelus polyphekadion can be easily confused with E. fuscoguttatus, but can …
Chevron butterflyfish
Haluvi bibee
Chaetodon trifascialisChaetodon trifascialis is an obligate coralivore and is not recommended as an aq…
Chistletooth wrasse
Dhaiy thoonu hikaa
Pseudodax molucannusPseudodax molucannus is the only species of its genus and can be easily distingu…
Cigar wrasse
Ilolhi hikaa
Cheilio inermisThe garish green coloration of Cheilio inermis helps it to camouflage within the…
Citron butterflyfish
Rulhigadha bibee
Chaetodon citrinellusThe species Chaetodon citrinellus is known to be aggressive, often erecting its …
Clark’s anemonefish
Maagandu mas
Amphiprion clarkiiThe most widespread species in the genus Amphiprion clarkii is found right acros…
Cleaner wrasse
Theyofulhi mas
Labroides dimidiatusUnlike L. bicolor (previous page), Labroides dimidiatus not only enters the mout…
Clearfin lionfish, Clearfin turkeyfish
Hulhu fanhaamas
Pterois radiataPterois radiata is easily recognized by the pair of horizontal white lines along…
Clown triggerfish
Bis rondu
Balistoides conspicillumThe strikingly colored Balistoides conspicillum is highly sought after in the aq…
Coastal trevally
Vabboa handhi
Carangoides caeruleopinnatusWhile not common, Carangoides caeruleopinnatus appears to be the most frequent o…
Cobia
Koabiya
Rachycentron canadumRachycentron canadum, a large predatory fish related to remoras (family Echneida…
Collared butterflyfish
Kalaru bibee
Chaetodon collareThe Chaetodon collare is a very sedate mover, and its fine coloration gives it a…
Comet
Dhunthari mas
Calloplesiops altivelisCalloplesiops altivelis is fairly common on protected coral reefs in the Maldive…
Comet grouper
Dhunthari faana
Epinephelus morrhuaSeveral specimens of the large deepwater grouper Epinephelus morrhua were caught…
Commerson’s frogfish, Giant angler
Maa bohmas
Antennarius commersoniiAntennarius commersonii, like other frogfishes (or anglers), is highly camouflag…
Common dolphinfish
Fiyala
Coryphaena hippurusCoryphaena hippurus, which is much more common and larger than its closely relat…
Common silverbiddy
Uniya
Gerres oyenaGerres oyena is commonly found in shallow, sandy lagoons of the Maldives and was…
Convict surgeonfish
Raabulhaa
Acanthurus triostegusThe common species Acanthurus triostegus is found in the Maldives, but it holds …
Coral hind, Vermilion seabass
Koveli faana, Bulhala faana
Cephalopholis miniataCephalopholis miniata is one of the most common and beautiful coral groupers, an…
Crescent-tail bigeye
Hungumas
Priacanthus hamrurPiracanthus hamrur is a common inhabitant of Maldivian reefs, and is closely rel…
Crimson jobfish
Jambu giulhu
Pristipomoides filamentosusUntil recently, Pristipomoides filamentosus was thought to be rare in the Maldiv…
Crown squirrelfish
Seetu raiverimas
Sargocentron diademaSargocentron diadema is a relatively common squirrelfish, and is likely the most…
Dark-banded fusilier
Garahitha muguraan
Pterocaesio tilePterocaesio tile is one of the most common fusiliers in the Maldives, with juven…
Darkfin hind
Kanfaiy kalhu faana
Cephalopholis urodetaJuveniles of Cephalopholis urodeta, previously recorded as C. nigripinnis, are s…
Dash-dot goatfish
Maa kalhuoh’
Parupeneus barberinusThe Parupeneus barberinus, like other goatfishes, uses its barbels to probe the …
Dawn goby
Dingaa funna
Amblyeleotris auroraAmblyeleotris aurora does not dig a hole for itself if there is a snapping shrim…
Decorated goby
Nala funna
Istigobius decoratusThe coloration of Istigobius decoratus is highly variable depending on the local…
Deep-reef chromis
Fun nilamehi
Chromis deltaChromis delta is a common species in the Maldives, but it is often overlooked by…
Desjardin’s sailfin tang
Dhunfaiy mas
Zebrasoma desjardiniiThe species Zebrasoma desjardinii, which is unique to the Indian Ocean, is very …
Diana’s hogfish
Thinthiki hikaa
Bodianus dianaBodianus diana is fairly common in Maldivian reefs, and its juvenile form is kno…
Disappearing wrasse
Miyakan hudhu hikaa
Pseudocheilinus evanidusThe English name of the secretive species Pseudocheilinus evanidus is "disappear…
Divided wrasse
Kurehi hikaa
Macropharyngodon bipartitusThe Macropharyngodon bipartitus is a small, dull-looking wrasse at first glance,…
Dogtooth tuna
Woshimas
Gymnosarda unicolorUnlike other tunas, Gymnosarda unicolor is usually associated with coral reefs a…
Doublespotted queenfish
Kashi vaali, Hondeli fahaa valli, Eka vaali
Scomberoides lysanScomberoides lysan is not a particularly common species, but it is caught occasi…
Dusky wrasse
Mushi hikaa
Halichoeres marginatusThe rather sombre Halichoeres marginatus species is often overlooked, but upon c…
Eightbar grouper
Kalhu faana
Epinephelus octofasciatusThe species Epinephelus octofasciatus was previously misidentified as E. septemf…
Elegant dartfish
Fari dhidha funna
Nemateleotris decoraNemateleotris decora is one of the most remarkably colored dart fishes in the Ma…
Emperor
Ras kokaamas
Pomacanthus imperatorAdult Pomacanthus imperator form territories which they vigorously defend agains…
Emperor red snapper
Maaginimas
Lutjanus sebaeThe Emperor Red Snapper, Lutjanus sebae, can easily be recognized by its distinc…
Escolar
Rongu theyomas
Lepidocybium flavobrunneumLike other Gempylids, Lepidocybium flavobrunneum is a moderately deep water fish…
Exquisite wrasse
Fari hikaa
Cirrhilabrus exquisitusThe species Cirrhilabrus exquisitus, as its name implies, is a beautiful wrasse …
Fainstripe cardinalfish
Ehrongu boadhi
Apogon abrogrammaApogon abrogramma is a common species in the Maldives belonging to the subgenus …
Fire dartfish
Dhidha funna
Nemateleotris magnificaNemateleotris magnifica, which is a popular aquarium fish, can be distinguished …
Flagtail triggerfish
Falhu rondu
Sufflamen chrysopterusThe closely related species S. albicaudatus (Rüppell) has replaced Sufflamen chr…
Forceps fish
Thun bibee
Forcipiger flavissimusThe Forcipiger flavissimus is closely related to F. longirostris, and these spec…
Fork-tailed threadfin bream
Dhon kandu uniya
Nemipterus furcosusNemipterus furcosus is not a commonly caught species in the Maldives, but it doe…
Fourbar coralgoby
Muraka funna
Gobiodon citrinusGobiodon citrinus is one of the most commonly exported aquarium fish in the Mald…
Foursaddle grouper
Asdhaanu faana
Epinephelus spilotocepsEpinephelus spilotoceps is very common in the Maldives, and its pale coloration …
Freckled driftfish
Oimas, Fiyala dhari
Psenes cyanophrysSeveral specimens of Psenes cyanophrys were caught in drifting gillnets by the R…
Frigate tuna
Raagondi
Auxis thazardAuxis thazard is a major fishery in the Maldives, third in importance in terms o…
Fusilier damsel
Bureki
Lepidozygus tapeinosomaLepidozygus tapeinosoma is used as bait in pole and line tuna fishery, with its …
Gelatinous cardinalfish
Ilolhi boadhi
Pseudamia gelatinosaPseudamia gelatinosa may be common in the Maldives, but its cryptic habits make …
Ghost cardinalfish
Loabodu bureki
Apogon savayensisApogon savayensis is one of a complex of three very similar species found in the…
Giant grouper
Mudu faana
Epinephelus lanceolatusEpinephelus lanceolatus is one of the two largest species of groupers in the wor…
Giant sweetlips
Maa guruva
Plectorhinchus albovittatusPlectorhinchus albovittatus is the largest species of this family and is not par…
Giant trevally
Muda handhi
Caranx ignobilisCaranx ignobilis is the largest of the trevallies or jacks, and although small s…
Goldband fusilier
Mas muguraan
Pterocaesio chrysozonaSeveral species of fusiliers, including Pterocaesio chrysozona, are used as juve…
Golden hind
Ran faana
Cephalopholis aurantiaCephalopholis aurantia is not encountered very often due to its deep-dwelling na…
Golden-striped soapfish
Ran rongu londhimas
Grammistes sexlineatusGrammistes sexlineatus, like other soapfishes, secretes copious quantities of mu…
Golden trevally
Libaas handhi
Gnathodon speciosusFishermen occasionally catch Gnathodon speciosus using hand lines near reefs, an…
Goldlined rabbitfish
Thammas
Siganus lineatusThe Siganus lineatus appears to be particularly common in the south of the Maldi…
Gold-lined squirrelfish
Ranrongu raiverimas
Neoniphon aurolineatusOf the four species of Neoniphon found in the Maldives, Neoniphon aurolineatus i…
Greasy grouper
Londhi faana
Epinephelus tauvinaEpinephelus tauvina, despite its unappetizing English name, is a prime food fish…
Greenbarred wrasse
Dhon noo hikaa
Halichoeres vrolikiiHalichoeres vrolikii, often referred to by its synonym H. hoevenii, is one of a …
Green jobfish
Giulhu
Aprion virescensThe Aprion virescens is a free-swimming, carnivorous fish that is difficult to a…
Grey demoiselle
Alhi dhanbaa
Chrysiptera glaucaChrysiptera glauca is a very common and attractive fish found in shallow, modera…
Grey large-eye bream
Kandu uniya
Gymnocranius griseusGymnocranius griseus is characterized by a relatively deep body in both small ju…
Grey reef shark
Vahboa miyaru
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchosCarcharhinus amblyrhynchos is one of the most common reef sharks in the Maldives…
Half barred goby
Baigalhi funna
Amblygobius semicintusAmblygobius semicinctus is very common in the sheltered lagoons of Maldivian isl…
Hardyhead silverside
Hithiboa
Atherinomorus lacunosusMany tuna fishermen oppose the use of Atherinomorus lacunosus and other silversi…
Harlequin sweetlips
Galu guruva
Plectorhinchus chaetodonoidesThe juveniles of Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides appear to mimic a toxic nudibranc…
Headstripe cardinalfish
Hima boadhi
Rhabdamia cypseluraRhabdamia cypselura is a frequently-used bait favoured by Maldivian tuna fisherm…
Honeycomb grouper
Lah faana
Epinephelus merraEpinephelus merra is the most common grouper on protected shallow lagoon reefs, …
Honeycomb sharpnosed puffer
Thijjehi thaakihaa koli
Canthigaster janthinopteraThe closely related species Canthigaster janthinoptera, C. jactator (Jenkins) fr…
Humpback red snapper
Ginimas
Lutjanus gibbusLutjanus gibbus is one of the most common Maldivian snappers, and during the day…
Humphead wrasse, Napoleon wrasse
Maa hulhunbu landaa
Cheilinus undulatusDespite its large size, Cheilinus undulatus, the largest of the family Labridae,…
Humpnose big-eye bream
Dhongu
Monotaxis grandoculisTwo distinct color forms of Monotaxis grandoculis have been observed, leading to…
Immaculate soldierfish
Dhanbodu
Myripristis vittataThe small, brightly-colored Myripristis vittata is one of the more common soldie…
Indian bannerfish
Hindhu dhidha mas
Heniochus pleurotaeniaHeniochus pleurotaenia is closely related to H. varius (Cuvier) of the Pacific, …
Indian butterflyfish
Kirulhiya bibee
Chaetodon mitratusChaetodon mitratus is one of the most beautiful butterflyfishes, and although it…
Indian dascyllus
Dhegalhi murakamas
Dascyllus carneusDascyllus carneus is a very common species of coral reef found in the Maldives, …
Indian lionfish, Soldier turkeyfish
Fanhaamas
Pterois milesPterois miles was identified as P. volitans (Linnaeus) in the Catalogue of Fishe…
Indian mackerel
Karaverimas
Rastrelliger kanagurtaRastrelliger kanagurta appears to occur irregularly in the central and southern …
Indian snapper, Madras snapper
Madharaasee mas
Lutjanus madrasIt appears that Lutjanus madras is rather rare in the Maldives, as evidenced by …
Indian triggerfish
Hindhu kalhu rondu
Melichthys indicusThe Black Triggerfish, Melichthys indicus, can be easily distinguished from its …
Indian vagabond butterflyfish
Hindhukokaa bibee
Chaetodon decussatusChaetodon decussatus is not especially common in the Maldives, and it is very si…
Indo-Pacific Blue marlin
Noomas hibaru
Makaira mazaraMakaira mazara has often been referred to as Makaira nigricans, but this name is…
Indo-Pacific sailfish
Fangandu hibaru
Istiophorus platypterusThe Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) is the most commonly seen of the billfish…
Island trevally
Thumba handhi
Carangoides orthogrammusCarangoides orthogrammus has a nearly ubiquitous occurrence at oceanic islands a…
Jansen’s wrasse
Dhon kaashi hikaa
Thalassoma janseniiThalassoma jansenii is not particularly common in the Maldives, unlike many othe…
Japanese snakeblenny
Harufa funna
Xiphasia matsubaraiXiphasia matsubarai is a very unusual blenny, which superficially resembles an e…
Jarbua terapon, Thorn fish
Guruva
Terapon jarbuaJuveniles and adults of Terapon jarbua are often found in freshwater, but accord…
Kawakawa
Latti
Euthynnus affinisEuthynnus affinis is commonly caught in the Maldives by trolling, unlike the oth…
Kitefin shark
Kashi neiy miyaru
Dalatias lichaDalatias licha, a deepwater shark, appears to be rare in the Maldives; the set o…
Klein’s butterflyfish
Alanaasi bibee
Chaetodon kleiniiThe Chaetodon kleinii, a small spotted butterflyfish recognizable by its dull or…
Klein’s butterflyfish
Alanaasi bibee
Chaetodon lunulaChaetodon lunula is a popular aquarium fish that is fairly common in the Maldive…
Lemon meringue wrasse
Dhon lunboa hikaa
Halichoeres leucoxanthusHalichoeres leucoxanthus, a popular aquarium fish like many other wrasses, is ve…
Leopard hind
Raiy thiki faana
Cephalopholis leopardusCephalopholis leopardus is a common inhabitant of upper reef slopes, but due to …
Lieutenant surgeonfish
Dhefah kaalhu
Acanthurus tennentiAcanthurus tennenti is a fairly common shallow water surgeonfish whose sides can…
Lined rockskipper
Rongudhemi venfunna
Istiblennius lineatusIstiblennius lineatus is one of several relatively small blenny species that inh…
Lined surgeonfish
Fashuvi libaas
Acanthurus lineatusAcanthurus lineatus is a very common inhabitant of shallow reef flats, and is po…
Lined wrasse
Rongu kendi hikaa
Anampses lineatusIn the Pacific Ocean, the closely related Anampses melanurus replaces Anampses l…
Longbarbel goatfish
Kandu kalhuoh’
Parupeneus macronemusParupeneus macronemus can be easily distinguished from other related species by …
Long-fin bannerfish
Dhidhamas bibee
Heniochus acuminatusDead specimens of Heniochus acuminatus can be identified by counting the number …
Long-nosed butterflyfish
Thundhigu bibee
Forcipiger longirostrisIt can be difficult to tell Forcipiger longirostris from the related F. flavissi…
Longnose filefish
Thundhigu fathirondu
Oxymonacanthus longirostrisOxymonacanthus longirostris can easily be distinguished from other Maldivian fil…
Longnose hawkfish
Thundhigu gaaboa
Oxycirrhites typusOxyirrhitus typus, a very popular aquarium fish, is easily distinguished from ot…
Longsnout lancetfish
Fangadu tholhi
Alepisaurus feroxMaldivian fishermen occasionally report sightings of Alepisaurus ferox, which th…
Longspine grouper, Streakyspot grouper
Kooru faana
Epinephelus longispinisEpinephelus longispinis is easily identifiable due to its distinctive streaked s…
Longtail tuna
Nigoo dhigu kanneli
Thunnus tonggolThe Thunnus tonggol is a neritic species commonly found around the coasts of Ind…
Mackeral scad
Rimmas
Decapterus macarellusThere are approximately five to six species of Decapterus known from the Indian …
Madagascar butterflyfish
Madagaskara bibee
Chaetodon madagaskariensisChaetodon madagaskariensis is a popular aquarium fish that is very closely relat…
Maldive anemonefish
Dhivehi maagandumas
Amphiprion nigripesThe common Maldivian Anemonefish, Amphiprion nigripes, is much sought after by a…
Maldives blenny
Dhivehi venfunna
Ecsenius minutusEcsenius minutus is one of the few fishes known only from the Maldives, and as i…
Mangrove red snapper
Odidhoshumas
Lutjanus argentimaculatusLutjanus argentimaculatus is not a particularly common species in the Maldives, …
Many-banded pipefish
Galhi kendi venu bandeyri
Dunckerocampus multiannulatusThe fairly common Dunckerocampus multiannulatus, which is sometimes classified i…
Many-spined angelfish
Kashi kokaamas
Centropyge multispinisCentropyge multispinis is a very common fish in Maldivian reefs, however, its da…
Masked bannerfish
Maasku bibee
Heniochus monocerosHeniochus monoceros is a fairly common species in the Maldives, often seen hover…
Masked grouper
Boakuda faana
Gracila albomarginataGracila albomarginata is a moderately common reef fish that is rarely caught by …
Mccosker’s wrasse
Faiy mini hikaa
Paracheilinus mccoskeriThe male of Paracheilinus mccoskeri is renowned for its size and beauty, and is …
Meyer’s butterflyfish
Oirongu bibee
Chaetodon meyeriThe Chaetodon meyeri butterflyfish, which is easily distinguishable by its uniqu…
Midnight snapper
Kalhu foniyamas
Macolor macularisBoth Macolor macularis and the closely related M. niger have distinctly patterne…
Moon wrasse
Nigoo dhigu hikaa
Thalassoma lunareThe widely-ranging and common species Thalassoma lunare is often bold enough to …
Moorish idol
Dhidha mas
Zanclus cornutusZanclus cornutus is the only species in the family and is often favoured by aqua…
Mozambique cichlid, Tilapia
Footumas, Thelaapia
Oreochromis mossambicusIn 1964, the Japanese Research Vessel Fuji Maru brought Oreochromis mossambicus …
Mozambique large-eye bream
Dhon kothari filolhu
Wattsia mossambicaWattsiamossambica is a rather deep-dwelling species, so it is not encountered ve…
Narrow-banded spanish mackerel
Galhi kurumas
Scomberomorus commersonScomberomorus commerson is rare in the Maldives, with few specimens being landed…
Netfin grouper, Honeyfin grouper
Kurehi faana
Epinephelus miliarisEpinephelus miliaris has a wide distributional range, but is known from relative…
Oceanic whitetip shark
Fee miyaru, Feeboa miyaru
Carcharhinus longimanusCarcharhinus longimanus is a common oceanic shark that can be easily distinguish…
Ocean triggerfish
Oivaali rondu
Canthidermis maculatusUnlike other triggerfishes, Canthidermis maculatus is most often encountered off…
Oil fish
Theyo mas
Ruvettus pretiosusA specimen of Ruvettus pretiosus was taken by gillnet from the R. V. "Matha Hari…
← Previous1 / 2Next →
Old search API