EnglishName: Indian dascyllus
Local Name : Dhegalhi murakamas
Size : Common to 5 cm; max. 7 cm
Family: POMACENTRIDAE
Order : Perciformes
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 12 spines and 14-16 rays. Anal fin with 2 spines and 13-14 rays. Pectoral rays 17-19. Body depth 1.5-1.6 in standard length.
Colour: Light brown with blue lines and spots on scales and broad dark bar crossing body behind operculum. Spinous dorsal, anal and pelvic fins black, often appears electric blue in life. Other fins pale.
Habitat and Biology: Occurs on reef slopes to at least 40 m, usually in aggregations around small coral heads. Feeds on plankton.
Distribution: Indian Ocean, from East Africa to Indonesia.
Remarks: Dascyllus carneus is a very common coral reef species in the Maldives. Although not very colourful,
it is exported from Maldives as live aquarium fish.