Marine Life

Two-spot surgeonfish

Lah jehi kaalhu

Ctenochaetus binotatus

There are three species of Ctenochaetus found in the Maldives that are rather similar in dull brown coloration, but C. binotatus can be easily distinguished by its two dark spots. It differs from Acanthurus spp. by having movable teeth and fewer spines on the dorsal fin.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 22 cm
color: Orangish brown with longitudinal lines on body and blue dots on head and chest; two black spots at the base of soft dorsal and anal fin.
order: Perciformes
family: Acanthuridae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/ctenochaetus-binotatus.png
habitat and biology: Discovered in numerous reef environments.
distinctive characters: The dorsal fin has 8 spines and 24-27 rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 22-25 rays, the pectoral rays are 15-16, the body depth is 1.9-2.2 in standard length, the teeth are movable, and the caudal fin is lunate.