288 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYtUI. 



9. Genus ELEOTRIS, Gronovius. 

 Syn. Asterropteryx , Riippell. 



Branchiostegals from four to six, occasionally terminating an- 

 teriorly in a spine ; pseudobranchiae present. Gill-openings of 

 moderate width. Body subcylindrical ; head oblong. Eyes 

 lateral, not prominent, and of moderate size. Teeth small, none 

 on vomer or palatines. Two dorsal fins, the anterior with few 

 (5-8) spines, and these sometimes filamentous ; base of pectoral 

 slightly muscular ; ventrals placed close together but not united. 

 Scales present. Air-bladder large. Anal papilla distinct. Pyloric 

 appendages generally absent. 



Geographical Distribution. These fishes are generally found in 

 the seas of the tropics, mostly along the shores, in estuaries, or 

 tidal rivers, but not above tidal influence. The only one I have 

 observed that appears to live in fresh as well as brackish or salt 

 water is E. fasca, which, though most numerous near the coast, 

 is still found a hundred miles and more from the sea. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. No serrated ridges on head ; no pre- 



opercular spine. 

 a. Scales of moderate size. L. 1. less than 



50 ; L. tr. * not exceeding 15. 

 a'. Eyes 2 to 3 diameters apart. 

 First dorsal with 7 spines. L. 1. 30, 



L. tr. 13-14 1. E. macrolepidota, p. 289. 



First dorsal with 6 spines. L. 1. 



36-37, L. tr. 13-14 2. E. porocephalus, p. 289. 



First dorsal with 6 spines. L. 1. 



31-34, L. tr. 10-11 8. E. tumifrons, p. 292. 



b . Eyes less than 1 diameters apart. 

 D. 6 | 1/10, A. 11, L. 1. 27, L. tr. 12. 6. E.feliceps, p. 291. 

 D. 6 1/8, A. 1/7, L. 1. 42, L. tr. 15. 13. E. scintillans, p. 295. 

 ' 1/8, A. 1/7, L. 1. 35, L. tr. 11. 14, E. litoralis, p. 295. 



. . 

 small. L. 1. more than 50; 



). 6 

 b. Scales 



L. tr. exceeding 15. 

 L.I. 80-100, L.tr. 30. Tail pointed. 



Longitudinal bands on body .... 3. E. muralis, p. 290. 

 L. 1. 80, L. tr. 16. Tail rounded. 



Vertical bands on body 4. E. ellioti, p. 290. 



L. 1. /5-80. Head with dark-edged 



blue spots. Fins banded ...?.. 5. E. sexguttata, p. 291. 

 L. 1 120, L. tr. 30. Tail rounded 7. E. mawodon, p. 292. 

 L. 1 68, L. tr. 17. Fins banded. 



Body without bands H. E. canaremis, p. 294. 



H. JSo serrated ridges on head. A pre- 

 opercular spine. 



1 to 1J diam. apart. 

 deep depression over orbits . . 9. E. camfrons, p. 293. , 



* Between origin of second dorsal and anal, see note p. 247. 



