164 BULLETIN 188, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Other sfecimens. — This species is known from the type, the paratype, 

 and a third specimen. 12.5 cm, long, in the Deignan collection, taken 

 in the Mefang, tributary of the Mekok, July 12, 1936. 



Remm-ks. — The species may fall within the limits of variation of 

 the imperfectly described C. julUeni Sauvage, but in the absence of 

 information thereon it seems best to describe the present form, which 

 is characterized by short maxillary barbels, entire lips, scales of mod- 

 erate size (with 20 surrounding the caudal peduncle), and sharply 

 defined narrow blackish longitudinal stripes that are possessed by no 

 other species, although in several species there are broken lines made 

 up of dark spots at the bases of the scales. 



CIRRHINUS MICROLEPIS Sauvage 



Cirrhina microJepis Sauvage, 187Sb, p. 236 (Mekong, Cambodia) ; 1881, p. 173, 

 pi. 8. fig. 2 (Mekong) ; ISSSb, p. 1-52 (Menam Chao Phya).— Hoka, 1923b, 

 p. 158 (Bangkok).— ViPULY A, 1023, p. 22.5 (Bangkok). 



Cirrhina aura fa Sauvage, 1878b, p. 236 (Mekong, Cambodia) ; 1881, pp. 163, 173 

 (Mekong). 



Cirrhiims aurafus Fowler, 1935a, p. 122, figs. 61, 62 (Bangkok). 



The small scales of this species serve to make its identification easy. 

 There are up to 60 scales in the lateral line and 10 to 12 rows between 

 the lateral line and the midline of the back before the dorsal fin. 

 Described from the Mekong in Cambodia, the fish has been found to 

 range throughout the Menam Chao Phya, and is especially common 

 in the Bangkok region. One specimen from Chantabun was collected 

 in the Bangkok market March 5, 1925. 



The fish is essentially a vegetarian but it eats also insects, shrimps, 

 and worms. It reaches a large size. Examples weighing 3 to 5 pounds 

 are common. Prince Vipuiya (1023) reports the taking of a fish of 8 

 pounds on a rod and one of 15 pounds in a net in the Bangkok area. 

 Under the vernacular name of />?« nuan chan this fish is recognized as 

 one of the best of the local fresh- water food fishes. In Bangkok it is 

 extensively grown in ponds and canals, and always meets with ready 

 sale because of its attractive coloration and graceful lines as well as its 

 food qualities. 



Neither the original description of Cirrhina aurata by Sauvage nor 

 any subsequent description seems to bring out any essential features 

 separating that species from C. microlepis. The latter name has 

 priority over C. aurata by being first on the page. 



CIRRHINUS MARGINIPINNIS Fowler 



Cirrliinus marginiplnniH Fowler, 1937, p. 173, fig.s. lOS, 109 (Pitsanulok, Mepoou, 

 Bangkok). 



Described from very numerous specimens from the basin of the 

 Menam Chao Phya, this species, according to Fowler, is "always dis- 



