146 



NOTOPTERID.E. 



1. NOTOPTE&US. 

 Lacep. Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 189 (3 800), part. ; Ouv. & Val. Hist, Poiss. xxi. p. 119 

 (1848) ; Giinth. Cat, Fish. vii. p. 478 (1868) ; Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo, 



p. 117 (1901). 



Body elongate and very strongly compressed, attenuate behind, the 

 vent far forward ; scales small and cycloid ; lateral line distinct ; a 

 double ventral serrature. Mouth large, with small teeth on the pra?- 

 maxillaries and maxillaries ; teeth on vomer, palatines, pterygoids, and 

 tongue. Bones of the head cavernous ; anterior nostril with a tentacle, 

 the posterior near the eye. 6-9 branchiostegal rays. A short dorsal 

 fin, in the middle of the body. Anal fin very long, confluent with the 

 small caudal. Ventral fins rudimentary or absent. Air-bladder very 

 large, with several divisions, forked in front and behind. 



S.E. Asia and Tropical Africa. 



1. NOTOPTERUS AFER, 

 Giinth. Cat. Fish. vii. p. 480 (1868) ; Steind. Notes Leyd. Mas. xvi. 1894, p. 83 ; 

 Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 117 (1901). 



Depth of body 4^ to 5^ times in total length, length of head 5 to 6 

 times. Upper profile of head slightly concave ; snout as long as or a 

 little longer or a little shorter than eye, the diameter of which is 



Notopterus afer. 

 Type. |. 



4£ to 6^ times in length of head, lj to If times in interocular width ; 

 nasal tentacle truncate, f or ^ diameter of eye ; maxillary extending to 

 below posterior border of eye; lower border of praeoperculum denticu- 

 late. Gill-membrane rather deeply notched ; 7 branchiostegal rays. 

 Gill-rakers long, 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal 6-7. 

 Anal 113-130 (caudal rays included). Pectoral f to f length of head. 

 Ventrals absent. Ventral serrature formed of 35-40 pairs of spines. 



