White-streaked grouper
Epinephelus ongus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- White-streaked grouper
- Scientific
- Epinephelus ongus
- Dhivehi
- ކިރުޅި ފާނަKirulhi faana
- Maximum size
- Up to about 40 cm (total length)
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 20 to 60 m; also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2016
Description
A dark brown grouper covered in small white spots that merge into wavy white streaks, reaching about 40 cm. It is cryptic and lives in ledges and caves on coastal and lagoon reefs, usually deeper than 20 m.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name kirulhi faana (MRS 1997).
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Epinephelus-ongus.html
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ކިރުޅި_ފާނަ
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Epinephelus_ongus_329437953.jpg
Dhivehi name source: Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ކިރުޅި ފާނަ' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition). No published Latin-script form found; 'Kirulhi faana' is Pax's transliteration of the Thaana (Malé Latin conventions). 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. FLAG: Latin form is a transliteration, not a published spelling.