Maldives Marine Life

Marine life of Maldivian waters

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Threespot dascyllus
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Threespot dascyllus

Dascyllus trimaculatus

Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).

English
Threespot dascyllus
Scientific
Dascyllus trimaculatus
Dhivehi
Kalhu maagandumas
Group
Reef fish
Family
Pomacentridae (damselfishes and anemonefishes)
Maximum size
Up to about 14 cm (total length); max. published weight 45.21 g
Depth and habitat
Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 55 m
IUCN status
LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2021

Description

A small, black damselfish with a white spot on the forehead and one on each side of the upper body; the spots fade in large adults. Juveniles often live among the tentacles of large sea anemones, alongside anemonefish, or among sea urchin spines. Adults gather in groups near coral heads and feed on plankton and algae.

In the Maldives

FishBase (Maldives) gives kalhu maagandumas.

Sources

Dhivehi name source: FishBase common names (country: Maldives) give 'Kalhu maagandumas' (Latin script). FishBase also lists 'Kaluburang' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used. FLAG: single source.