Yellowmargin triggerfish
Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Yellowmargin triggerfish
- Scientific
- Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus
- Dhivehi
- ވިލު ރޮނޑުVilu rondu
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 60 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 60 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 2 to 80 m; also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2022
Description
A large triggerfish, pale yellowish brown with dark-centred scales, a yellow-orange face and yellow edges to the soft dorsal, anal and tail fins. It feeds on coral tips, molluscs, crustaceans and worms, often blowing water into sand to uncover prey. Males build nests in sand flats near reefs, sometimes in colonies.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name vilu rondu (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is one of two large triggerfish commonly seen by divers in the Maldives and nests in deep lagoons; it defends its nest less aggressively than the titan triggerfish, but some individuals do charge divers.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Pseudobalistes-flavimarginatus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=6027&GenusName=Pseudobalistes&Species
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ވިލު_ރޮނޑު
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Pseudobalistesflavimarginatus.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Vilu rondu' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) agrees: 'Vilu rondu'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ވިލު ރޮނޑު' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Rondu' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used.