TRYPAUCHENID^E 



337 



and the dorsal and anal rays are fewer ; the types have 42 to 44 

 rays in the second dorsal, 41 to 43 in the anal. 



This species is close to Amblyopus taenia Gunther, from which 

 however it is very distinct. 



TRYPAUCHENID.-E 



This group includes those elongated, scaled, laterally com- 

 pressed fishes with a blind pit or pouchlike cavity on each side, 

 above the opercle. 



The long body and short blunt head are both laterally com- 

 pressed, the anterior profile steeply convex; the whole body 

 covered with cycloid scales of moderate size or small, but always 

 well developed and in one genus extending to eyes and on sides 

 of head; the eyes lateral, distinct, but very small; the mouth 

 rather small, oblique, the heavy lower jaw prominent, the chin 



FIG. 6. Ventral fins of Trypauehenide ; a, Trypauchcn vagina, Bloch and Schneider, X 1.5 ; 

 b, Ctenotryvanchen microcephalu* (Bleeker). X 2 ; c, Trvpauchenichthyt tyjnu (Sleeker). 

 X 2. 



without barbels; the teeth in narrow bands, in one genus with 

 canines in both jaws; the dorsals continuous, the dorsals and 

 anal low, confluent with or narrowly separated from caudal; 

 the small ventrals may be united, entire, forming a disk, or 

 more or less notched, or united only at base; the gill openings 

 narrow to moderate, vertical, the isthmus very broad; bran- 

 chiostegals 4. Dorsal VI, 1-40 to 60; anal I, 38 to 50. 



Four genera are recognized, of which two are thus far known 

 from the Philippines. Common along sandy coasts and in mud- 

 dy estuaries from India to Southern Japan. 



