Blacktip grouper
Epinephelus fasciatus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Blacktip grouper
- Scientific
- Epinephelus fasciatus
- Dhivehi
- ރަތްގަޅި ފާނަRaiy galhi faana
- Maximum size
- Up to about 52 cm (total length); commonly 22 cm; max. published weight 2 kg
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 4 to 160 m (usually 20 to 45 m); also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2016
Description
A small red to orange-red grouper with five or six faint darker bars and distinctive black tips with small pale spots on the dorsal-fin spines. It is common on outer reef slopes below about 15 m and also in sheltered bays. It feeds day and night on crabs, small fish and shrimps.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name raiy galhi faana (MRS 1997).
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Epinephelus-fasciatus.html
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=5348&GenusName=Epinephelus&SpeciesNam
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ރަތްގަޅި_ފާނަ
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Epinephelus_fasciatus_Umitamago.jpg
Dhivehi name source: FishBase common names (country: Maldives) give 'Raiy galhi faana' (Latin script). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ރަތްގަޅި ފާނަ' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Ryfana' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used. 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.