THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
115 
Opercle wider above than below, and ending posteriorly in a blunt point: it has six transverse 
rows of scales. Nostrils midway between the orbit and the snout. 
Teeth—In villiform bands in both jaws. 
Fins—The ventral arises rather in front of the pectoral, the first dorsal over its anterior 
fourth, and the second dorsal over its posterior fourth. First dorsal spines weak, its membrane 
deeply notched, and its form triangular: the second trapezoid with the last rays rather prolonged. 
Pectoral rounded, and extending as far as the commencement of the anal. Ventral triangular. 
Anal of the same shape as the second dorsal. Caudal wedge-shaped. 
Scales—Cycloid, quadrangular, their longest exposed portions from above downwards, those 
on the head smaller than those over the body ; they are extended over the opercles and summit of 
the head as far as the nostrils. 
Colours—Greenish black, with vermilion spots irregularly disposed over the body. Pectoral, 
second dorsal, and caudal tipped with scarlet: first dorsal dark, more especially at its base. Second 
dorsal with four or five black bars on a deep grey ground. Caudal also barred with brown, but 
having some scarlet spots mostly at its upper part, occasionally it has a black base. Pectoral 
black, with its base margined with bright scarlet, and with some irregular transverse black bands 
and red blotches upon it. Anal deep grey barred with brown, and margined with scarlet. Eyes 
hazel. In the monsoon time the dark red on the fins becomes more of an orange colour, and 
numerous orange dots appear on the body below the lateral line, also on the throat and under 
surface of the abdomen. As the monsoon continues the upper half of the caudal becomes whitish, 
and the scarlet margin to the anal also becomes white. 
Grows to six inches in length ; common in the sea and also in the backwaters. Is eaten by 
the Natives. 
Habitat—Seas of India, Malaysia, China, and the Philippine Islands. 
Eleotris fusca. 
PiECILIA fusca, Bl. Sckn. p. 453. 
Cheilodipterus culius, Ham. Buck. pp. 55, 367, pi. 5, f. 16. 
Eleotris nigra, Guv. & Val. xii. p. 233. 
Eleotris fusca, Gunther , Catal. iii. p. 125. 
Poollan, Mai. 
B. vi. D. 6 | 1. P.17. V. i, A. 1 C. 15. L. 1. 60-65. L. tr. 21-23. Vert, f]. 
Length of head rather more than t, of pectoral -$> of caudal of base of first dorsal T V, 
of base of second dorsal of base of anal ^ of total length. Height of head of body of 
first dorsal T k, of second dorsal of ventral of anal ^ of total length. 
Eyes—Transversely oval, situated near the profile; horizontal diameter rather more than l, 
vertical diameter | of the length of head, 1^ diameters apart, 1 diameter from the end of the 
snout. 
Body broad in front, compressed behind, and nearly as wide across the shoulder as it is high : 
the abdominal profile more curved than that of the back, which is nearly straight. 
Head depressed, upper jaw oblique and slightly protrusible, extending posteriorly to beneath 
the centre of the orbit: lower jaw horizontal. Preopercle, with the posterior limb directed 
slightly backwards, its angle rounded, and a sharp spine directed downwards and a little for- 
Q 2 
