Mozambique large-eye bream
Wattsia mossambica
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Mozambique large-eye bream
- Scientific
- Wattsia mossambica
- Dhivehi
- ދޮންކޮތަރި ފިލޮޅުDhon kothari filolhu
- Group
- Reef fish
- Family
- Lethrinidae (emperors)
- Maximum size
- Up to about 55 cm (total length); commonly 35 cm (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 55 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 100 to 200 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2015
Description
A deep-water bream, silvery grey with a yellow tinge, brownish scale edges, yellow fins and a dark bar at the pectoral base. It lives on the outer edges of reefs and shelves at about 100 to 200 m and feeds on bottom invertebrates and small fish.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name dhon kothari filolhu (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is occasionally caught on deep handlines, usually below 70 m, outside the atolls.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Wattsia-mossambica.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ދޮންކޮތަރި_ފިލޮޅު
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Dhon kothari filolhu' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ދޮންކޮތަރި ފިލޮޅު' (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.