Tripletail :

EnglishName: Tripletail
Local Name : Kandu faana, Huifathu mas
Size : Common to 50 cm; max. 1 m
Family: LOBOTIDAE
Order : Perciformes
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 11-13 spines and 13-16 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9-12 rays. Pectoral fin with 17 rays. Body depth 2.0-2.5 in standard length. Body oval to oblong. A single dorsal fin with stout spines and elevated posterior section. Dorsal fin lobe rounded. Preopercle coarsely serrate. Roof of mouth and tongue toothless. Caudal fin rounded.
Colour: Olive to dark brown, mottled with dark spots. Juveniles yellow with darker spots.
Habitat and Biology: Inhabits both in coastal areas and in open sea around floating objects. Juveniles may sometimes be seen in very shallow water where they have a resemblance to floating leaves or weeds. Feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crustaceans and small fish.
Distribution: Worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters.
Remarks: Adults of Lobotes surinamensis when seen offshore may appear rather like groupers. This explains the fishermen’s name “kandu faana�? (ocean grouper). Juveniles, which are sometimes seen in shallow weedy lagoons, have been called “huifathu mas�?.

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