430 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTEETGI1. 



the anal. Between the dorsal spines and rays are more spots, 

 some brown, others yellow. Along the lateral line are three black 

 finger-marks, the middle one the largest and darkest ; ventral and 



Fig. 150. Etroplus maculatus. 



anal fins stained with deep black. In specimens procured between 

 January and May there is occasionally a reddish tinge at the ex- 

 tremity of the caudal fin, and a leaden or violet hue over the body, 

 whilst the number of golden spots seems to have decreased. 



E. maculatus rarely, if ever, exceeds three inches in length. Jerdon 

 observes, " The eggs are not very numerous and are deposited in 

 the mud at the bottom of the stream, and when hatched both 

 parents guard their young for many days, vigorously attacking 

 any large fish that pass near them." This species does not live 

 long after its removal from water. In an aquarium it is exceed- 

 ingly pugnacious, turning at times almost black with passion, and 

 vigorously biting the nearest fish. 



Hob. Fresh waters along the coasts of Madras, and from South 

 Canara along Malabar, also found in Ceylon. This fish is captured 

 at least 60 or 80 miles inland. 



1308. (3.) Etroplus suratensis. 



Chsetodon suratensis, Block, Ich. t. 217. 



Etroplus suratensis, Day, Fish. India, p. 415, pi. Ixxxix, fig. 6 (see 

 synon.). 



Karssar and Pillinchan, Tarn. ; Pitul-kas, Hind. ; Cashi-mara, Telinga 

 (Jerdon) ; Cundahla, Ooriah ; Corallia, Singhalese (Boake). 



D.18-19/14-15. P.17. A.12-13/12-11. C.16.L.1.35-40. L.tr.5i/17. 



Length of head 4, height of body 2| in the total length. .Eyes- 

 diameter from 3 to 4 in length of head, nearly 2 diam. apart, 

 Iftth m a single row in each jaAv, compressed ; posterior to them 



