215 



8. Cryptopterus Bleeker. 

 (BLEEKER. Ichth. Arch. Ind. Prodr. I. Siluri 1858, p. 283). 



(Kryptopterichthys Blkr., Micronema Blkr., Phalacronotus Blkr., 

 Hemisilurus Blkr. p. p.). 



Elongate, strongly compressed, snout depressed. Cleft of 

 mouth more or less oblique, not surpassing the eye, which 

 is covered by skin and the lower part of which is situated 

 below the level of the cleft of the mouth. Anterior nostrils 

 tubular, near the frontedge of the snout, posterior nostrils at 

 some distance behind them but before the frontborder of the 

 eye. Laterally from anterior nostril a maxillary barbel; a pair 

 of mandibulary barbels far distant behind the symphysis, 

 generally short, rudimentary or even wanting. Dorsal rudi- 

 mentary or absent. No adipose fin. Long anal free from or 

 united with caudal, which is deeply forked. Ventrals small or 

 rudimentary with 5 10 rays. Pectorals with a partly osseous 

 spine. Teeth depressible, those of the jaws in a more or less 

 curved band ; vomerine teeth in a single band, by exception 

 in 2 separate patches. 8 17 branchiostegal rays. Gillrakers 

 numerous (15 17), rather slender and long. Gillmembranes 

 free from each other and from isthmus. 



Fig. 87. Cryptopterus apogon (Blkr.). 



Synopsis of the species. 



I. Vomerine teeth in 2 separate patches ........ C. schilbeides p. 216. 



II. Vomerine teeth in one band. 

 A. Dorsal rudimentary. 



i. Mandibulary barbel shorter than head. Anal 

 5270. 



a. Pectorals equal to head. Anal 52 C. macrocephalus p. 216. 



b. Pectorals much longer than head. A. 53-70. 

 #. Maxillary barbel extends to ventrals or 



anal, 8 9 radii branchiostegi C. bicirrhis p. 217. 



(2. Maxillary barbel reaching to or surpas- 



