Marine Life

Doublespotted queenfish

Kashi vaali, Hondeli fahaa valli, Eka vaali

Scomberoides lysan

Scomberoides lysan is not a particularly common species, but it is caught occasionally by Maldivian fishermen using hand-lines near reefs. It has several local names in the Maldives, including 'vaali,' which refers to this type of fish, 'kashi' (spine), which refers to the row of dorsal spines, 'hondelifahaa,' which means sprat-chasing, and 'eka' (one), which may refer to the fact that it is usually caught individually.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 70 cm
color: Silvery grey. Adults with a double series of 6-8 dusky blotches above and below lateral line, occasionally connected by a narrow band. Top half of dorsal fin lobe dark. Pelvic yellow.
order: Perciformes
family: Carangidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/scomberoides-lysan.png
habitat and biology: This species inhabits coastal waters from shallow lagoons to deeper offshore areas, ranging from the surface to depths of 100 m. Its diet consists of other fish and small crustaceans.
distinctive characters: The first dorsal fin has 6-7 separate spines, the second dorsal fin has 1 spine and 19-21 rays, and the anal fin has 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 17-19 rays. Additionally, the maxilla extends to or slightly beyond the rear margin of the eye, and there are no scutes; the scales on the mid-body of adults are lanceolate.