Twospot surgeonfish
Ctenochaetus binotatus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Twospot surgeonfish
- Scientific
- Ctenochaetus binotatus
- Dhivehi
- ލައްޖެހި ކާޅުLah jehi kaalhu
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 22 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 22 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 60 m (usually 10 to 50 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2010
Description
A small orangish-brown bristletooth surgeonfish with fine lengthwise lines, blue dots on the head and two black spots at the rear bases of the dorsal and anal fins; adults have a bluish ring around the eye and juveniles a yellow tail. It uses brush-like teeth to scrape detritus and microscopic algae off rubble and coral.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name lah jehi kaalhu (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is the easiest of the three Maldivian bristletooths to identify, thanks to its two spots.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Ctenochaetus-binotatus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ލައްޖެހި_ކާޅު
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Ctenochaetus_binotatus_13376118.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Lah jehi kaalhu' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ލައްޖެހި ކާޅު' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.