THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
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a little downwards. Intermaxillaries notched in centre and protrusible. Preorbital broad, rather 
elevated in front, and roughened by ridges and grooves which radiate from its centre. Preopercle 
with two strong spines (the upper the largest) ou its vertical limb, a third less strong on its angle, 
and one—sometimes two—indistinct points on its oblique lower limb. A spiny ridge from angle 
of preopercle to preorbital. Opercle ending in a soft point. Sub- and interopercles entire. A 
short sharp spine close above the anterior opening of the nostrils. A blunt spine on posterior 
superior angle of orbit. Two sharp blade-like flattened spines on either side of occiput. Scapular 
spiny: coracoid entire. Above the centre of the orbit is a long fleshy filament two-thirds 
the diameter of the eye; other shorter but broader ones arise as follows, one from below the nasal 
spine, one from each intermaxillary, two from preorbital, three from lower limb of preopercle. Two 
orifices of nostrils wide apart, in front of centre of orbit. 
Teeth—Fine, villiform, on jaws and vomer. 
Fins—Dorsal spines moderately strong, and extend over more than two-thirds of the base of 
the fin, membrane only existing just at the posterior margin of each spine, and notched almost to 
its base : rays branched into two. Pectorals elongated so as to extend a short distance beyond 
the base of the caudal, the membrane between the rays deeply notched, covering both sides of the 
ninth or tenth, but the under side only of those above, and the upper side of those below : none 
of the rays branched. Ventral spine weak, rays branched, elongated, and the membrane deeply 
notched, being least so between sixth and seventh rays. Anal spines weak, the third the longest: 
rays branched, membrane not deeply cleft. Caudal, central rays longest, branched, membrane 
moderately cleft. 
Scales—Small, and covering the cheeks and head, except the snout and interopercle. 
Lateral fine—Tubular in each scale and situated in upper fourth of body. 
Colours—Generally of a fawn colour, with vertical bands of reddish brown, the outer portion 
of which is the darkest. The first dark band on the body commences opposite the second dorsal 
spine : the second opposite the fourth : the third opposite the sixth : the second and third bands 
coalesce a little below the lateral line. The fourth commences opposite the tenth spine : the fifth 
opposite the second and third rays, passing down to first anal ray. Another dark band passes mid¬ 
way between the termination of the dorsal and the commencement of the caudal, whilst an eighth 
exists at the base of the caudal fin: between all these dark bands there are lighter ones. The 
head is also striped like the body, one dark band passes from the anterior portion of the orbit to 
the middle of the upper jaw, a second from the centre of the orbit over the cheek to the anterior 
termination of the inferior limb of preopercle : a third from the posterior margin of the orbit to 
the angle of preopercle : whilst the last broad stripe commences at the anterior spine at the side 
of the occiput, and passing over the opercle ends in the upper part of the base of the pectoral fin. 
Besides these there are numerous narrower and lighter intermediate bands. All the filaments have 
dark centres and brownish margins. Dorsal spines leaden colour with whitish markings, rays 
white spotted with black, and some black markings opposite the vertical dark bands already 
described. Caudal and anal whitish spotted with black, the latter marked with the continuation 
of the two dark bands that go to its base. Pectoral slate colour, irregularly barred with white : 
one small round white spot on the body just above the base of the pectoral. Ventrals slate colour, 
with brown and white markings. 
It is not uncommon. Grows to nine inches in length ; is said to be eaten. 
Habitat—From eastern coasts of Africa, through the Indian, to tlifi Australian seas. 
