THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
85 
Body elliptical, the upper and lower profiles equally convex, but its caudal end more produced 
than its anterior extremity. 
Mouth oblique, upper jaw rather concave laterally: the posterior extremity of the maxilla 
reaches to below the centre of the orbit. Preorbital wide, its upper portion having a festooned 
edge of ridges directed downwards. Opercle, its lower margin straight. Subopercle high and 
narrow. Preopercle rather concave posteriorly, owing to its angle being slightly produced, lower 
margin forming a curve continuous with the angle. Nostrils approximating and near the upper 
third of the orbit. Longitudinal crest along upper surface of head well developed, lateral ridges 
but moderately so. 
Teeth—In young specimens several rows of villiform teeth in upper jaw, with an external row 
of strong ones : a single row of irregularly sized ones in the lower jaw : small and villiform on 
vomer and palate. Cantor observes that when “ nine inches in length no teeth appear except a 
small distinct one on either side of symphysis of the lower jaw/’ 
Fins—The pectoral arises under the inferior t hir d of opercle, and extends posteriorly to oppo¬ 
site the second anal ray: the first dorsal commences over the first third of the pectoral, and the 
second rather nearer to the snout than to the base of the caudal: the anal begins under the fifth 
dorsal ray. Pectoral pointed, scarcely falcate. First dorsal triangular, its spines weak, and its 
membrane deeply notched; a procumbent spine in front of its base very distinct in the young : its 
first spine is half the height of the second, which is one third shorter than the third, the longest in 
the fin. Second dorsal, with its first rays undivided and the highest portion of the fin, it decreases in 
height as far as the ninth, from whence it Is parallel to the back. Ventral spine weak. Anal free 
spines, the second longest and strongest. Anal fin, its spine moderately strong and one-third the 
length of the first ray, the first six of which are the highest portion of the fin, decreasing obliquely 
and posteriorly, whilst the rest of the rays are parallel to the abdomen. Caudal rather deeply lobed. 
The portion of the tail uncovered by fin equals in length the diameter of the eye. 
Scales—Small, extending over body, chest and cheeks. 
Lateral line—First proceeds obliquely upwards and backwards to opposite sixth spine of the 
dorsal, it then curves downwards to opposite the sixth dorsal ray, from whence it becomes straight 
and keeled, the size of the scales increasing in strength, and the edges more raised, the height of 
the widest plate being equal to one-ninth of the height of the body. 
Colours—Generally of a beautiful bright golden, having a greenish tinge along the upper 
surface of the back: six vertical greenish grey bands pass downwards to the abdomen, and a 
seventh is situated at the base of the caudal: the first vertical band commences above the eye : the 
upper and posterior part of opercle with a dark spot. The first dorsal dark, minutely and closely 
dotted with fine brown points, the centre of the last five interspinous membranes having the least. 
Second dorsal and caudal tipped with darkish grey. The anal golden. Eye with a shade of brown. 
As the age of the fish increases its colours fade considerably. 
Grows to three feet in length. 
Habitat—Bed Sea, Seas of India, Malaysia, and Philippine islands. 
* Caranx para. 
Caranx para, Cuv. & Val. ix. p. 58. 
B. vii. D. 7 | gV A. 2 | Jp L. 1. 36-40. 
