PElK'IDiTC. 



165 



FAMILY PERCIDJE. (Giinth. Cat. vol. i.) 



This family, of which the European Perch is the 

 type, are carnivorous fishes, and are found in the 

 seas and fresh waters of all parts of the globe. 

 The only representatives of the family in Indian 

 fresh waters are small fishes belonging to the 



GENUS AMBASSIS. 



Char. All the teeth viliform, two dorsal fins. 

 Scales large, deciduous. Prreoperculum with a double 

 toothed edge, the first dorsal with seven, the anal 

 with three spines, a recumbent spine in front of the 

 dorsal pointing forwards. 



They are all small fishes, with the body deep and 

 compressed, more or less transparent. 



1. Ambassis nalua. 



Hab. Bengal. Body deep in proportion to its 

 length. 



Fin rays. Second dorsal 1+10 or 11. Anal 3 + 10. 

 Scales large, about 30. 



2. Ambassis ranga. 



Hab. Bengal and Madras. 1| inches. Body 

 deep. 



Fin rays. Second dorsal 1 + 12 to 14. Anal 3 + 

 13 to 15. Scales small, 58. 



