PERCID^E. 441 



Hob. Seas, backwaters, and mouths of tidal rivers, from the 

 coast east of the Persian Gulf to the Malay Archipelago and 

 beyond. This fish is excellent eating when from the vicinity of 

 large rivers. Large quantities are sold either fresh or partially 



Fig. 139. Lates cakarifer. 



salted in the Calcutta markets. It has been recorded up to 5 feet 

 in length and 200 Ib. in weight. 



Second group. SEREANINA. 

 2. Genus CROMILEPTES, Swains. 

 Syn. Serranichthys, Bleeker; Lioperca, Gill. 



B ranch iostegals seven. Body oblong, compressed. Eyes lateral, 

 of moderate size. Preopercle with its vertical border finely serrated, 

 its horizontal margin entire. Opercle with two or three spines. 

 Teeth fine in the jaws, vomer, and palate ; no canines ; internal 

 row in maxilla not fixed. Dorsal fin single, elevated, with ] or 

 1 1 spines, anal with 3 ; caudal rounded. Scales small, cycloid. 



559. (1.) Cromileptes altivelis. (Fig. 140.) 



Serranus altivelis, Cuv. fy Vol. H. N. Poiss. ii, p. 324, pi. 35. 

 Cromileptes altivelis, Day, Fish. India, i, p. 9, pi. i, fig. 2, Suppl. 

 p. 779 (see synon.). 



D.10-11/18-19. A.3/9-10. C.17. L.r. 100-1 20/85-1 10. L.tr.36/ . 

 Length of head 3, height of body 3 in the total length. 

 Eyes 5 to 5| diameters in length of head, rather above 1 from 

 end of snout and f apart. Upper profile of head somewhat con- 

 cave. Lower jaw much longer than the upper. Fins dorsal 

 spines moderate, the last slightly the longest, but only two thirds 

 or three fourths as high as the highest dorsal ray ; soft portions of 

 dorsal and anal fins angularly rounded ; second anal spine stronger 

 than the third, but not quite so long. Colour head and body 

 greyish, becoming lighter on the abdomen; fins grey; everywhere 



