THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
11 
Mesoprion rubellus. Plate II. Fig. 2. 
Mesoprion rubellus, Cuv. & Val. ii. p. 475. 
? Jahngarah, Bussell , pi. 90. 
B. vii. D. If. P. 16. Y. A. Q. 17. L. 1. 46. L. tr. T 7 g. 
Length of head f, of pectoral f, of caudal T ^-, of base of dorsal §, of anal of total length. 
Height of head §, of body f, of hard dorsal of soft dorsal of ventral of anal f of total length. 
Eyes—Transversely oval, horizontal diameter I, vertical diameter of length of head, nearly 
2 diameters from end of snout, f of a diameter apart. 
Maxilla extends to beneath the anterior third of orbit. Preopercle, vertical limb finely 
serrated in the whole of its extent, it is slightly emarginate, angle moderately rounded, with three 
or four blunt denticulations ; lower limb oblique, entire. Sub- and interopercles entire, no protu¬ 
berance on the latter. Opercle with two blunt points, no distinct spines. Suprascapular serrated. 
Teeth—An external row of conical teeth in both jaws, smallest in the upper : several bands of 
villiform teeth in upper, but not so numerous in lower jaw still existing in its entire length. 
Canines in each intermaxillary. Villiform teeth on vomer and palate. 
Fins—Dorsal spines moderately strong, the first nearly one-third height of second which is 
about one-sixth shorter than the third, the fourth is a little shorter, and they gradually decrease. 
Ventral spine weak. Second anal spine much the strongest, twice the length of the first but three- 
thirteenths shorter than the third. Pectoral pointed. Anal rather pointed. Caudal truncated, 
emarginate. 
Scales—In horizontal rows both above and below lateral line. 
Colours —Back greyish brown, chest orange, abdomen and sides of a light violet, each scale 
tipped with white. Cheeks orange, scales with a white exterior. Hard dorsal greyish, soft dorsal 
yellowish grey. Caudal brownish. Pectoral with a tinge of red. Hard portion of anal greyish, 
soft portion yellowish grey. Ventrals greyish, with an orange base. Eye silvery with a golden 
rim round the pupil. 
Grows to a large size, and is excellent eating. 
Habitat—Seas of India and Bed sea. 
Mesoprion Johnii. 
Anthias Johnii, Block , t. 318. 
Doondiawah, Russell , pi. 97. 
Corns catus, Ham. Buck. pp. 90, 369, pi. 38, f. 30. 
Mesoprion unimaculatus, Cuv. & Val. ii. p. 441. 
Mesoprion Johnii, Cuv. & Val. ii. p. 443; Cantor , Catal. p. 13; Gunther , Catal. i. p. 200. 
Chembolay, Mai. 
B. vii. D. !£. P- 16-18. V. A. f. C. 16-1 7. L. 1. 48. L. tr. T V 
Length of head of pectoral of caudal of base of dorsal §, of base of anal ^ of the total 
length. Height of head J, of body f, of hard dorsal 1, of soft dorsal y, of ventral 4, of anal ? 1 of 
the total length. 
Eyes—Diameter I of length of head, more than ^ a diameter apart, 1 diameter from end of 
snout. 
Maxilla extends to beneath the anterior margin of orbit: in young specimens to its anterior 
third; openings of nostrils wide apart, opposite upper third of orbit, which is close to the profile. 
Preorbital with an irregular lower margin. Preopercle, vertical limb finely serrated above, more 
