162 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
short Unless space between the terminations of the dorsal and anal, and the commencement of 
the caudal. Dorsal spines strong, the spinous portion occupying seven tenths of the length of 
the base of the fin ; the interspinous membrane deeply notched and longer than the spines : the 
fourth ray is the longest, and extends to three fourths the length of the caudal : the last is the 
shortest, being not quite a fourth of the length of the longest ray. The anal spines occupy seven 
tenths of the length of the base of the fin, and both spines and rays are the same as in the dorsal. 
Both dorsal and anal spines can be laid flat in a groove. Pectoral rather pointed. Ventral spine 
moderately strong, and a third longer than any of the dorsal spines. Caudal broad at its extremity 
and slightly emarginate. 
Scales—Ctenoid, covering the opercles, none on the snout, between the eyes, or on the 
preorbitals, but they are extended on to the caudal, and along the base of dorsal and anal fins in 
the form of a scaly sheath. 
Lateral line—In upper fourth of body, extending along about sixteen scales, and ceasing 
opposite the twelfth dorsal spine. 
Colours—Light green, with eight vertical bands, the first passes over the occiput, the last 
across the base of the caudal, and the other six are intermediate. Most of the scales above the 
lateral fine have a central white pearly spot, whilst there are some irregular black spots over the 
abdomen. The dorsal, caudal, ventral, and anal are of a dark leaden colour, the pectoral yellowish, 
with a jet black base. 
Specimens from the salt water are of a deep purple colour, the bands almost black, and the 
white spots very distinct. 
During the monsoon time the colours of this fish are most beautiful, the eight vertical bands 
are more distinctly marked, the abdomen is nearly white, the back of a deep green, and the round 
white spot on nearly every scale gleams like a small pearl. 
Very young fish have a large black ocellus surrounded by a white margin, extending from the 
fourth to the tenth soft rays of the dorsal fin. 
Very common in all pieces of fresh water. Excellent eating, especially when of a large size. 
It grows to upwards of a foot in length. It takes a bait freely, but is not so easily captured in a 
net, as it appears to bury itself in the mud. 
Habitat—Fresh waters of Southern India and Ceylon. 
Etroplus maculatus. 
Chjetodon maculatus, Bloch , t. 427, f. 2 ; Cuv. & Val. v. p. 489 ; Gunther , Catal. iv. 
p. 266. 
Etroplus coruciii, Cuv. & Val. v. p. 491, pi. 136 ; Jerdon , Madras Journ. xv. 
p. 142. 
PULLUTTAY, Mai. 
B. vi. D. If. P. 14. V. 1 A. L3. c. 16. L. 1. 35. L. tr. 21. 
Length of head f, of pectoral f, of base of dorsal of base of anal §, of caudal ^ of total 
length. Height of head f, of body -|, of hard dorsal yy, of soft dorsal y, of ventral f, of anal 
spines ytj-, of anal rays j of total length. 
Eyes—Diameter f length of head, slightly more than 1 diameter from end of snout, 1 diameter 
apart. 
