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Fact Sheet >
Marine Life > Fish Watch |
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Fish Watch
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Some of the interesting fish species
that entices divers to Maldives are:
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Honeycomb Moray - a fish with a
long, tapering tail, a shortened head, a blunt snout
with powerful teeth and a row of tangs. Dark blotches,
surrounded by a yellow network, formed in the shape
of a honeycomb give this species its name - 'Honeycomb
Moray'. The blotches vary in size between individuals
depending upon their habitat.
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The Honeycomb Moray has no scales in its
body; instead its body is covered with mucus. A flap of skin
around the tail connects the dorsal and anal fins forming
a continuous, spineless fin. This fin extends from the head
region to the tail, and from the tail to the vent (the vent
is located towards the front of the body).
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The Honeycomb Moray is usually found in
dark holes and deep coral caves and rocky reefs. It usually
can be seen as deep as 45 meters. A moray can be as long as
2 meters.
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Powder-blue
Surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucosternon)
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The Powder-blue Surgeonfish inhabits
the clear water reefs and is found at a depth of about
20 meters. Easily recognizable due to its colored body,
it is a species commonly found in the Maldives. With
a black colored face and a blue colored body, it never
swims alone and is always found in large and dense schools.
It can grow up to a length of 20 cm.
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Saddled Pufferfish (Canthigaster valentini) |
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The Canthigaster Valentini or the Saddled
Putterfish as it is more commonly known is one of the
easily identifiable putterfish. Its unique color pattern
makes it stand out even among the colorful coral reefs,
and gives a warning to its predators.
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The adult saddled Putterfish usually swim
in pairs, while the juveniles swim alone and in shy reefs.
This species can grow up to a length of 10 cm.
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Squaretail Coral Grouper (Plectropomus areolatus)
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Commonly found in the Maldives, the
Squaretail Coral Grouper can be identified by its truncated
tail and dark edged blue colored circular spots. Its
tail is marked by a narrow, white posterior margin.
Large and deep lagoons with rich coral growth are usually
inhabited by these fishes in huge numbers and can be
found at a depth of about 30 meters and sometimes deeper.
A fully grown Squaretail Coral grouper can measure up
to 75 cms long.
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White-lined Lionfish (Pterois radiata) |
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The dark general color with thin white
lines makes it easier to identify the White-lined Lionfish.
Found in areas with no or little hard coral growth,
the White-lined Lionfish prefers a habitat of dead coral
areas having algae or other non-stinging type of growth.
It is usually found at a depth of around 25 meters,
in caves along the steep slopes. A fully grown White-lined
Lionfish can measure up to 20 cms.
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Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum) |
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Clown Triggerfish is a vividly colored
fish. Its upper portion of the body is dark with small
yellow spots bedecking it. Large, white spots cover
the lower part of the body. With a yellowish orange
colored lip and a yellow band under its eyes, the Clown
Triggerfish is easily recognizable.
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Its body is oval in shape and looks compressed.
Protruding incisors and pointed snout are the other main features
of this fish species. Growing up to a length of about 50 cms,
the adult Clown Triggerfish can be seen swimming openly along
steep slopes or walls. On being approached, it usually retreats
into caves. The Juveniles are found in small caves usually
deeper than 30 m.
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Whale Shark (Rhincodon Typus) |
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The world's largest fish,
the Whale Shark has a flat head, small eyes and a large
mouth, which is distinguished with numerous small teeth.
Usually found near the surface, the Whale Shark has
a dark and light blue colored back with white spots
decorating it. Its belly is white. Growing up to 18
meters long, it feeds on a diet of small fishes, cephalopods
and crustaceans.
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