400 TELEOSTBI. PHT8O8TOM1 . 



termed a Sardine by the inhabitants and residents in Malabar, 

 where it is very common and is excellent eating. 



Hob. From Sind through the seas of India to the Malay Archi- 

 pelago ; attaining at least 7 inches in length. 





10. Genus SPRATELLOIDES, Bleeker. 



Branchiostegals six ; pseudobranchiae well developed. Gill- 

 membranes entirely separated. Body elongated, moderately com- 

 pressed or subcylindrical ; abdomen rounded. Snout compressed ; 



the upper jaw not overlapping the lower. Eyes without adipose 

 lids. Teeth small and deciduous, but sometimes present on the 

 jaws, vomer, pterygoids, and tongue. Dorsal fin placed opposite 

 the ventrals ; anal of moderate length or short. Scales of medium 

 size, rather deciduous. 



Geographical Distribution. Western coast of India, Malay Archi- 

 pelago to Australia, also the North Pacific. 



513. (1.) Spratelloides malabaricus. (Fig. 124.) 



Spratelloides malabaricu8, Day, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 240 j Fish. India, 

 p. 648,. pi. clxi, fig. 5 (see synon.). 



D. 13-14. P. 13. V. 8. A. 18-19. C. 19. L. 1. 38. L. tr. 9. 



Length of head (propoi'tion increases with age) 4j to of, height 

 of body 5 1 in the total length. Eyes diameter one third of 

 length of head. Fins dorsal commences slightly in front of the 



Fig. 124. Spratelloides malabaricus. 



origin of the ventral ; caudal deeply forked. Colour light 

 yellowish green above, a silvery stripe along the side, abdomen 

 silvery ; upper caudal lobe with a bluish posterior edge ; some fine 

 black points along the back ; upper edge of eye dark green. 



Hob. "Western coast of India, in rivers and estuaries, attaining 

 3 inches in length, and not uncommon. 



