BOBP / MAG / 25

442 Pages·2003·25.13 MB·English

BOBP / MAG / 25
Text and line drawings © 1997
Marine Research Centre
Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources
H. White Waves
Malé
Republic of Maldives
Colour photos © 1997
R.C. Anderson
FISHES OF THE MALDIVES
ISBN 99915-62-12-5
To be cited as : M.R.C. (2003) Fishes of the Maldives. Marine Research Centre,
Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources
Republic of Maldives. 420 pages
Date of Publication :
1st Publication 10th December 1997
2nd Publication 10th December 2003
Published by :
Marine Research Centre
Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources
Republic of Maldives
Printed in India with the assistance of :
Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation
Chennai 600 018
India
All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of study, research or criticism, no
part of the book may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission the Marine
Research Centre. Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Republic of Maldives
or the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation, Chennai 600 018, India. In all
cases the source of copied material should be cited.
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CONTENTS
Foreword and Acknowledgements v
Map of Maldives vi
Atoll Plan and Profile vii
External Features of Fishes viii
Introduction 1
Species Descriptions by Family
SHARKS
Ginglymostomatidae Nurse Sharks 4
Stegostomatidae Zebra or Variegated Shark 5
Rhincodontidae Whale Shark 6
Triakidae Hound Sharks 7
Hemigaleidae Weasel Sharks 8
Carcharhinidae Requiem Sharks 9
Odontaspididae Sand Tiger Sharks 23
Alopiidae Thresher Sharks 24
Lamnidae Mackerel (or Mako) Sharks 26
Hexanchidae . Cow Sharks 27
Dalatiidae Kitefin Sharks 29
BONY FISHES
Clupeidae Sprats and Sardines 30
Plotosidae Eeltail Catfishes 34
Alepisauridae Lancetfishes 35
Antennariidae Frogfishes (or Angler fishes) 36
Atherinidae Silversides 39
Exocoetidae Flyingfishes 41
Holocentridae Squirrelfishes and Soldier fishes 43
Syngnathidae Pipefishes 60
Fistulariidae Cornet fishes 63
Scorpaenidae Scorpion fishes 65
Serranidae Groupers, Anthiids and Soap fishes 68
Plesiopidae Comet (Longfins) 110
Priacanthidae Bigeyes 111
Apogonidae Cardinal fishes 112
Echeneidae Remoras 119
Rachycentridae Cobia 121
Coryphaenidae Dolphin fishes 122
Carangidae Jacks (or Trevallies) 124
Lutjanidae Snappers and Fusiliers 144
Lobotidae Tripletails 170
Gerreidae Silver Biddies 171
Haemulidae Sweetlips 172
Lethrinidae Emperors 176
Nemipteridae Threadfm Breams 182
Polynemidae Threadfms 185
Mullidae Goatfishes 186
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Chaetodontidae Butterflyfishes 189
Pomacanthidae Angelfishes 216
Kyphosidae Rudderfishes 223
Teraponidae Grunters 224
Kuh1iidae Flagtails 225
Cirrhitidae Hawkfishes 226
Cich1idae Tilapia 229
Pomacentridae Damsel fishes 230
Labridae Wrasses 250
Pinguipedidae Sandperches 290
B1enniidae Blennies 294
Gobiidae Gobies 301
Microdesmidae Dartfishes 306
Siganidae Rabbitfishes 308
Zanc1idae Moorish idol 309
Acanthuridae Surgeonfishes 310
Gempy1idae Esco1ar and Oilfishes 326
Scombridae Tunas 331
Xiphiidae Billfishes 342
Nomeidae Driftfishes 346
Balistidae Triggerfishes 347
Monacanthidae Filefishes 361
Ostraciidae Boxfishes 366
Tetraodontidae Pufferfishes 368
Glossary 374
Bibliography 384
Index of Fish Names (English and Scientific) 388
Colour Plates
Dhivehi Section 396
Foreword (in Dhivehi)
Preface by Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture (in Dhivehi)
Message by His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom (in Dhivehi)
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FOREWORD
The Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) is proud to be
associated with this important document, which is a catalogue of the fishes of the Maldives.
The message from the President of the Maldives reflects the importance His Excellency and the
Government of Maldives accord to the subject.
The BOBP -IGO is committed to support the efforts of its member governments to promote fisheries
management and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. Essential to such a process
is knowledge of the rich fish resources of the Maldives. This comprehensive and well-illustrated
catalogue will be of great help to fishery scientists and officials, to fish exporters, students and
fishermen themselves, besides serving as an invaluable reference book for researchers around the
world.
We compliment the Marine Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine
Resources of the Republic of Maldives, and the scientists, researchers and artists who made this
highly informative publication possible. We are sure it will promote the cause of fisheries
management and sustainable development in the Maldives, besides being a useful contribution to
knowledge within and outside the Bay of Bengal region.
Dr Yugraj Singh Yadava
Director
Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation
Chennai - 600 018, India
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The production of the volume was a major team effort by the staff of the Marine Research Centre.
This work is largely based on the previous four Catalogues of the Fishes of The Maldives; the
efforts of all contributors to those earlier volumes are gratefully acknowledged. That this volume
has been produced at all is in large part the result of the work of Ibrahim Naeem, who sorted and
arranged all specimens in the MRC collection, checked identifications, revised existing sheets,
prepared fresh ones for new additions, and oversaw the production of this entire work. Ahmed
Hafiz wrote most of the Dhivehi sections. Dr. R. Charles Anderson prepared much of the English
text, and also provided the colour slides for the plates. All line drawings which were mainly done
by Dr. M. Shiham Adam, Hussein Zahir, Ibrahim Faizan and Ahmed Arif for the previous edition
have been used in this edition. Most revised line drawings and new additions used in this edition of
the book have been done by Ibrahim Faizan. Ibrahim Nadheeh was responsible for layout and
provided much editorial assistance; he and Fathimath Zeena carried out most of the word-processing.
Other MRC staff members who have made contributions to this volume include Ajula Rasheed,
Hussain Zahir and Hamid Shafeeu. Mr. Ahmed Shakir and Aishath Shahindha kindly assisted with
the layout.
This book contains the most extensive and comprehensive Dhivehi text yet produced on the fishes
of the Maldives. It is, therefore, most appropriate that His Excellency President Maumoon Abdul
Gayyoom, who has had a profound interest in and concern for the fish and fisheries of our country,
has provided a message in the national language-Dhivehi. We are most grateful to him.
Former Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Hon. Abdul Rasheed Hussein’s
encouragement and guidance led to this revised version. We are most grateful to him.
A special thanks to the Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Hon. Abdullah
Kamaludeen for his support to bring forth this volume.
The newly found BOBP Inter-Governmental Organisation generously offered to re-print this book
with minor changes. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to BOBP-IGO, especially to
Dr. Yugraj Singh Yadava, Director and his staff for their support and assistance.
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