NO. 5 MYERS AND WADE : ATHERINID FISHES 121 



head. Eye large, 2.2-2.66 in head, its diameter greater than the shortest 

 distance from orbital rim to angle of preopercle. Upper edge of orbit 

 reaching, but not rising above, the dorsal outline of the head. Adipose 

 ej'elid present, more strongly developed anteriorly. Interorbital slightly 

 convex, 2.75-3.52 in head. Preopercle with a small, weak, flat, closely 

 appressed "spine" at its angle. Branchiostegal rays 6. 



Mouth terminal, strongly oblique, the gape curved ; lower jaw slight- 

 ly included at tip when mouth is tightly closed. Maxillary narrow, reach- 

 ing or extending somewhat behind vertical of front of inner edge of the 

 adipose eyelid when the mouth is tightly closed, 2,12-2.92 in head. Pre- 

 maxillaries protractile, broadly dilated posteriorly. Gape restricted at 

 corners of mouth by a membrane between the jaws. Teeth of upper jaw 

 in a narrow band of small, pointed, slightly curved, depressible teeth, 

 narrowing to a single row laterally. Mandibular teeth similar to those of 

 upper jaw. No vomerine or palatine teeth present. Gill-membranes not 

 united, free from isthmus. Gill-rakers 14-16 on lower limb of first arch. 

 Pseudobranchiae present. 



Dorsal III to V-I, 9-12. First dorsal short, spines flexible, origin 

 slightly anterior to slightly posterior to a vertical through the anal ori- 

 gin, and from slightly nearer caudal base than tip of snout to slightly far- 

 ther. Second dorsal origin over about twelfth anal ray, the base ending 

 over about fourth from last anal ray. Anal fin I, 23-31, moderately fal- 

 cate, the posterior rays about 2.5 in greatest height of fin. Caudal fin 

 forked, lower lobe very slightly longer. Pectoral rays 13-15, the fin short 

 and broad, its length equal to or slightly less than head length. Ventral 

 fins I, 5, abdominal, closely approximated, short, not or barely reaching 

 anal opening, their origins nearer anal origin than upper angle of pectoral 

 base. 



Body color in alcohol light yellowish. Lateral band silvery, dorsally 

 edged by a narrow dark line. Band constricted on caudal peduncle into 

 a fine line, expanded again on caudal base into an irregular triangle. Ex- 

 posed margins of scales above lateral band outlined with small, blackish 

 punctulations in most specimens. Caudal fin dusky marginally, pale proxi- 

 mally. Dorsal fin colorless or with a few scattered, minute punctulations 

 along the rays. Anal, pectoral, and ventral fins colorless. The bases of 

 many dorsal and anal rays have small, dark punctulations. Cheeks and 

 opercles silvery; head dark dorsally; nape blackish, lighter anteriorly. 

 Lips and tip of snout moderately to heavily marked with a smudge of 

 small, dark spots. 



