Scales 240 to 285 in median lateral or axial series to caudal 
base; 182 to 220 predorsal forward to occiput; 20 or 21 above lateral 
line to dorsal origin; 17 or 18 postocular to preopercle ridge. Scales 
with 31 to 45 parallel vertical striae, more or less complete across 
median or vertical axis. 
D. II, 23 or II, 24, first branched ray 4§ to 4-3/5 in total 
head length; A. II, 20 or II, 21, first branched ray 4-2/3 to 5-l/5; 
least depth of caudal peduncle 1-3/5 to if - in eye; caudal 2-7/8 to 
3-l/8 in total head, well forked; pectoral 4 to 4-l/5; ventral 5 to 
5g, reaching 2-l/5 to 2-l/3 to vent. 
Back and upper surfaces brown, sides and under surfaces silvery 
white. Iris silvery white. Fins brownish. Dorsal and caudal darker 
terminally and last shorter dorsal rays blackish terminally. Edges of 
shorter anal rays and membranes variably dusky to blackish. Paired 
fins brownish. 
Red Sea, Arabia, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Portuguese East Africa, 
Natal, Madagascar, India, Singapore, East Indies, Philippines, China, 
Formosa, Japan, Queensland, Melanesia, Polynesia. Belone timucoides 
Van Basselt 1823 has priority over the usually accepted Belone ohoram 
RLppell 1835. 
I have accepted the original citation of Belone coromandelica 
Van Basselt from Weber and Beaufort, who state that it is a nomen nudum. 
This name, however, as grouped in Bleeker*s synonymy of Mastacembelus 
melanotus would suggest that it may be earlier than Belone timucoides 
and even intended for the Wahlah kuddera of Russell, in which case 
coromandelica would be the correct specific name for the present speoies 
