The Abalistes stellatus is rarely seen in the Maldives, as it is a species that typically inhabits deeper waters, but appears to be more common in the atoll basins.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 60 cm
color
Background colour grey dashed with olive green, suffused with yellow, overlaid with many pale spots. Three whitish blotches on back (faint or absent in large individuals). Pectoral fins yellow.
Discovered in sandy, spongy and weedy areas up to a depth of 100 m. Usually seen alone or in small clusters. Preys on benthic creatures.
distinctive characters
The fish has a dorsal fin with three spines and 25-27 rays, an anal fin with 24-25 rays, pectoral rays of 15-16, a deep and laterally compressed body, scales that are enlarged above the pectoral fin base forming a flexible tympanum, scaly cheeks, a prominent groove on the snout in front of the eye, longitudinal scale ridges on the posterior part of the body, a caudal peduncle that is wider than deep, and a caudal fin that is double emarginate.