Maldives Marine Life

Marine life of Maldivian waters

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Whitespotted devil
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Illustration
Illustration: Homefront / Abacus AI, © Homefront AuctionsOriginal illustration based on published descriptions

Whitespotted devil

Stegastes lacrymatus

Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).

English
Whitespotted devil
Scientific
Stegastes lacrymatus
Dhivehi
Dhanbaa
Group
Reef fish
Family
Pomacentridae (damselfishes and anemonefishes)
Maximum size
Up to about 10 cm (total length)
Depth and habitat
Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 40 m
IUCN status
NE · Not EvaluatedNot Evaluated (NE)

Description

A small, dark brown damselfish speckled with tiny blue spots, reaching about 10 cm. It is territorial, farming algae on dead coral and rubble, and will chase much larger fish away.

In the Maldives

FishBase (Maldives) gives dhanbaa.

Sources

  • fishbase.se /summary/Stegastes-lacrymatus.html
  • fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=5712&GenusName=Stegastes&SpeciesName=

Dhivehi name source: FishBase common names (country: Maldives) give 'Dhanbaa' (Latin script). FishBase also lists 'Ryburang' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used. FLAG: single source.