Bluefin trevally
Caranx melampygus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Bluefin trevally
- Scientific
- Caranx melampygus
- Dhivehi
- ފަނި ހަނދިFani handhi
- Group
- Jacks and trevallies
- Maximum size
- Up to about 1.2 m (fork length); commonly 60 cm; max. published weight 43.5 kg (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 1 m
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 190 m; also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2015
Description
A streamlined trevally with a bronze-green to bluish back scattered with small black spots, silvery sides and brilliant electric-blue fins. It hunts singly or in small groups around coral reefs, often at dawn and dusk, chasing small fish along the reef edge. Large individuals are sometimes ciguatoxic.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name fani handhi (MRS 1997). MRS (1997) calls it the most common jack on Maldivian reefs and notes it is not shy of divers.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Caranx-melampygus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=1906&GenusName=Caranx&SpeciesName=mel
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ފަނި_ހަނދި
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Jurel_de_aleta_azul_(Caranx_melampygus),_Yeda,_Arabia_Saudi
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Fani handhi' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) agrees: 'Fani handhi'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ފަނި ހަނދި' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Fanihandi', 'Mudahandi' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used.