Doublespotted queenfish :

EnglishName: Doublespotted queenfish
Local Name : Kashi vaali, Hondeli fahaa valli, Eka vaali
Size : Max. 70 cm
Family: Order : Specimen
Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6-7 separate spines, second dorsal with 1 spine and 19-21 rays. Anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 17-19 rays. Maxilla extends to or slightly beyond rear margin of eye. No scutes; scales on mid-body lanceolate in adults.
Colour: Silvery grey. Adults with a double series of 6-8 dusky blotches above and below lateral line, occasionally connected by a narrow band. Top half of dorsal fin lobe dark. Pelvic yellow.
Habitat and Biology: Inhabits inshore waters from shallow lagoons to offshore areas from the surface to depths of 100 m. Feeds on other fishes and small crustaceans.
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.
Remarks: Although by no means common, Scomberoides lysan is caught fairly regularly by Maldivian fishermen using hand-lines near reefs. It has a number of local names: ‘vaali’ refers to this type of fish; ‘kashi’ (spine) refers to the row of dorsal spines; “hondelifahaa�? means sprat-chasing; and ‘eka’ (one) presumably refers to the fact that it is normally caught singly.

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