150 



MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN 



VOL. XV, 



occurs from April to June and August to September. In May an 

 unusually heavy catch of this fish occurred. Kandal {Synagris tolu) 

 is abundant from August to November. Kadichai {Pristipoma 

 dussumieri) occurs only in January, August and September. 

 Pristipoma maculatum occurs during the north-east monsoon (Feb- 

 ruary to May). Its Tamil name, Kallandalai, has reference to the 

 stones in the head which Indian doctors hold to be of high 

 medicinal value. Pristipoma is called the grunter because of a 

 grunting noise it produces when disturbed. Therapon jarbua the 

 keechan though a valuable larvicide, was of no economic import- 

 ance during the year when only 30 lb. were sold. 



The cat-fishes are another important group of fishes. They 

 usually occur in shoals. Though not eaten by the richer classes 

 and avoided by the Muhammadans as fish without scales they enter 

 largely into the dietary of the poor. The species noticed are the 

 Kadalkeletni {Macroncs gulio), Akkelethi {Plotosus arab), Irunkelethi 

 (P. caniits), Nattu kelethi, (Macroi/es viitatns), Solai kelethi {M. cava- 

 sius, the fresh water cat-fish), Theli (Clarius batrachus and Sacco- 

 branchus fossilis, the freshwater cat-fishes) and Uppu Kali kelethi 

 (Arius falcarius). When large male specimens of Ar ins are caught, 

 it is usual to find eggs measuring nearly Y 2 an inch in diameter 

 falling from the mouth where they had been retained for purposes 

 of hatching. The name Theli or scorpion fish is given as a 

 poisonous secretion is injected into the severe wounds inflicted with 

 the pectoral spines. The first business of the fishermen, as soon 

 as these fish are caught, is to break offor hack away the dreaded 

 spines. 



Months. 



Kelethi. 



F W. Kelethi. 



Theli. 



Total. 



