GOBIID^E. 255 



Length of head 4|, of caudal fin 5|, height of body 6| in the 

 total length. Eyes somewhat superior, diameter 5 to 6 in length 

 of head, lj diam. from end of snout, and | apart. Greatest width 

 of head f of length, height equals length without snout. Cheeks 

 swollen. The orifice of a canal behind posterior lower angle of 

 eye. Mouth oblique, jaws of equal length, maxilla extends to 

 below anterior third of orbit. Barbels a short pair below 

 symphysis of mandible. Teeth anterior 10 in premaxillaries 

 large and canine-like, the outer 10 or 12 in lower jaw also enlarged, 

 but not to the same size, the external one on either side is a 

 recurved canine. Fins dorsal spines, especially second and third, 

 filiform and prolonged far beyond membrane ; rays increase in 

 length to the last, which reaches base of caudal fin, and is as high 

 as the body, it is divided to its base. Caudal wedge-shaped or 

 rather rounded. Scales small, rounded, and cycloid anteriorly ; 

 none on the head ; those on remainder of the body angular and 

 feebly ctenoid. Colour olive, many of the scales with light bluish 

 spots, a deep blue spot on shoulder, second dorsal and anal dark, 

 with a reddish outer edge ; ventral and last two thirds of caudal 

 grey. 



Hob. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



1030. (12.) Gobius criniger. 



Gobius criniger, Cuv. fy Vol. II. N. Poiss. xii, p. 82 ; Day, Fish. 

 India, p. 288, pi. Ixii, fig. 2 (see synon.). 



D. 6 | 10. P.19. V. 1/5. A. 10. C. 13. L. 1. 26-32. L. tr. 12-13. 



Length of head 4, of caudal fin 5|, height of body 4| in the 

 total length. Eyes diameter 3g to 4 in length of head, 1 diam. 

 from end of snout, and | apart. Snout obtuse ; jaws of about the 

 same length anteriorly. Cleft of mouth oblique ; maxilla reaches 

 to below front edge of first third of eye. Greatest width of head 

 equals height, or length excluding snout. Several rows of fine 

 warts across the cheeks, opercles, upper surface of head, and nape 

 of neck; an open pore between eyes. Teeth small recurved 

 canines in lower jaw. Fins the two dorsals with a narrow space 

 between, and of about equal height or of total length, the second 

 and third spines often with filamentous terminations ; last dorsal 

 ray divided to base. Pectoral of similar length to ventral. Caudal 

 rounded. Scales ctenoid, none in front of base of first dorsal. 

 Colour pale ochreous ; head, body, dorsal and caudal fins irregu- 

 larly spotted and blotched with black ; caudal and anal with dark 

 edges. 



Hob. East coast of Africa, seas of India, to the Malay Archi- 

 pelago and beyond. Common at Madras all the year round in the 

 sea and backwaters. 



1031. (13.) Gobius thurstoni. 



Gobius thurstoni, Day, Fish. India, Suppl. 1888, p. 793. 



