Violet squirrelfish
Sargocentron violaceum
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Violet squirrelfish
- Scientific
- Sargocentron violaceum
- Dhivehi
- ރަތްކިރުޅި ރައިވެރިމަސްRaiykirulhi raiverimas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 45 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 25 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 100 m (usually 1 to 15 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2015
Description
A deep-bodied squirrelfish, violet to purplish red with a white edge to each scale, a red head and a dark mark on the upper gill cover. It is solitary and secretive, hiding deep in caves and crevices by day and hunting crabs and shrimps at night.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name raiykirulhi raiverimas (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is not especially common in the Maldives.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Sargocentron-violaceum.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ރަތްކިރުޅި_ރައިވެރިމަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Violet_squirrelfish_(Sargocentron_violaceum).jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Raiykirulhi raiverimas' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ރަތްކިރުޅި ރައިވެރިމަސް' (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.