Zebra turkeyfish
Dendrochirus zebra
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Zebra turkeyfish
- Scientific
- Dendrochirus zebra
- Dhivehi
- ކަންފަތްކުޑަ ފަންހާމަސްKanfaiykuda fanhaamas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 25 cm (standard length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 20 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 115 m (usually 3 to 60 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2015
Description
A small lionfish with red-brown bars alternating with narrower pale bars, a dark blotch on the lower gill cover and fan-like pectoral fins joined by membrane almost to their tips. It sits in caves and under ledges by day and uses its spread fins to herd small fish and shrimps into corners at dusk. The dorsal spines are highly venomous.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name kanfaiykuda fanhaamas (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is usually seen in shallow lagoons.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Dendrochirus-zebra.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ކަންފަތްކުޑަ_ފަންހާމަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Perutýn_zebrovatý,_z_anglické_wiki.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Kanfaiykuda fanhaamas' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ކަންފަތްކުޑަ ފަންހާމަސް' (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.