Bigeye trevally
Caranx sexfasciatus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Bigeye trevally
- Scientific
- Caranx sexfasciatus
- Dhivehi
- ހަލުވި މަސްHaluvimas
- Group
- Jacks and trevallies
- Maximum size
- Up to about 1.2 m (total length); commonly 60 cm; max. published weight 18 kg (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives common to 60 cm; max. 85 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 146 m; also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2018
Description
A silvery trevally with a large eye, greenish-grey back, a small dark spot at the top of the gill cover and, in adults, white tips to the dorsal and anal fins. By day it forms large, slowly milling schools along reef edges and channels; at night the schools break up and individuals hunt alone. It eats fish, squid and crustaceans.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name haluvimas (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is mainly caught by night handline, is common around wrecks and artificial reefs, and can be approached closely by divers and snorkellers.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Caranx-sexfasciatus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=1917&GenusName=Caranx&SpeciesName=sex
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ހަލުވި_މަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Bigeye_trevally_BoraBora.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Haluvimas' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) agrees: 'Haluvimas'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ހަލުވި މަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Digufanihandi', 'Korakali' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used.