260 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XII, 
of their bodies with the caudal fin stained crimson; which is sup- 
posed by fishermen in Madras to indicate good rains. The fry are 
very common in November, when they frequently enter drains in 
the city after a heavy shower. Tull they attain a length of 19 mm. 
the barbels are undeveloped and the scales are indistinct ; when 
25 mm. long, the maxillary barbels reach the eye, the colour is 
greyish white, a faint yellow band extends along the sides and 
some dark pigment spots are present at the root of the caudal fin. 
Uses.—This is a small species which is said to reach a maxi- 
mum length of 5 inches. Being a surface feeder it is valuable as a 
mosquito-destroyer.! 
Amblypharyngodon microlepis (Bleeker). 
Tamil—Pult Elai Kendat or Pacha Thalai Kendai; both names 
refer to the metallic green colour of the back. 
The rows of scales between the I. line and the base of the 
ventral fin is usually 6 and even 7; only occasionally is it 5 as 
stated by Day. 
Habitat and Habits.—A. microlepis is one of the commonest 
tank-fish in Madras. It inhabits shallow water and is among the 
first to migrate from ponds with the shallowest of overflows, in 
which act it is frequently caught in drains after a heavy shower. 
The breeding season extends from October to December, when 
the fry are extremely common. 
Description of Fry.—There are usually 9 rays in the dorsal 
and 8 in the anal fin. When less than 2 centimeters long the 
scales are indistinct, the body translucent and bright orange in 
colour, except the abdomen, which is silvery ; the dorsal profile is 
very convex; a dark green crescent mark on the head behind the 
line of the eyes is very distinct in preserved specimens; the pectoral 
fins reach the ventral, which reach the anal. 
Uses.—A small species not more than 3 or 4 inches in maxi- 
mum length, which enters largely into the diet of the poorer classes 
in consequence of its abundance. Experiments prove it to be a 
valuable mosquito-destroyer. 
Amblypharyngodon mola (H. B.) 
Not so common as A. microlepis in Madras. 
Chela clupeoides (Bloch). 
Tamil—V ellichi. 
C. clupeoides is found chiefly in ponds and only occasionally 
in rivers. Though not uncommon it is rarely abundant in any 
single locality. It is an active fish and a fast swimmer and in- 
t Sewell and Chaudhuri, /nd. Fish of Proved Utility as Mosqutto-destroyers, 
Den aki 
