Indian sail-fin surgeonfish
Zebrasoma desjardinii
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Indian sail-fin surgeonfish
- Scientific
- Zebrasoma desjardinii
- Dhivehi
- ދުންފަތް މަސްDhunfaiy mas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 40 cm (total length); commonly 32 cm (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 40 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 3 to 30 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2010
Description
A tall-finned surgeonfish with huge sail-like dorsal and anal fins, a pattern of dark and pale vertical bars with thin yellow lines on the body, and small white spots on the head. Adults usually travel in pairs over coral and rocky bottoms, grazing algae. Juveniles are boldly banded in yellow and white and hide among branching coral.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name dhunfaiy mas (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is unique to the Indian Ocean and is closely related to the Pacific sailfin tang.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Zebrasoma-desjardinii.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ދުންފަތް_މަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Zebrasoma_desjardinii_01.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Dhunfaiy mas' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ދުންފަތް މަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form.