Disco blenny
Meiacanthus smithi
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Disco blenny
- Scientific
- Meiacanthus smithi
- Dhivehi
- ދަތްތޫނު ފުންނަDhaiythoonu funna
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 8.5 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 8 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 1 to 20 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2009
Description
A small, pale greenish-cream blenny with a black bar from the eye to the dorsal fin and a thick black stripe along the dorsal fin. Like others in its genus it has a pair of enlarged, grooved lower fangs connected to venom glands, which deter predators that try to swallow it. It lives on coastal and inner reefs.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi Wikipedia (MRS-derived) gives dhaiythoonu funna, a coined name. MRS notes the species was first discovered by scientists on Hans Hass's Xarifa expedition to the Maldives.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Meiacanthus-smithi.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ދަތްތޫނު_ފުންނަ
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Meiacanthus_smithi_Maldives.JPG
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Dhaiythoonu funna' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ދަތްތޫނު ފުންނަ' (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.