Seishi Kimura, Aziz Arshad, Hisashi Imamura and Mazlan Abd Ghaffar

Home , Drepane (fish), Lepturacanthus savala, Longrakered trevally, Platax, Platax batavianus, Taeniamia

Edited by Seishi Kimura, Aziz Arshad, Hisashi Imamura and Mazlan Abd Ghaffar

Universiti Putra Malaysia Press Mie University, Japan

i Fishes of the Northwestern Johor Strait Peninsular Malaysia ii iii

Edited by Seishi Kimura, Aziz Arshad, Hisashi Imamura and Mazlan Abd Ghaffar

Universiti Putra Malaysia Press Mie University, Japan iv

Published by Universiti Putra Malaysia Press, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, and Mie University, 1577 Kurima-Machiyacho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan.

Copyright © 2015 by Seishi Kimura, Aziz Arshad, Hisashi Imamura, Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, and other authors and photographers listed in page iv (copyrights of the texts and specimen photographs are held by the authors and photographers, respectively).

For bibliographic purposes this book should be cited as follows: Kimura S., A. Arshad, H. Imamura and M. A. Ghaffar, eds. 2015. Fishes of the northwestern Johor Strait, Peninsular Malaysia. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press, Serdang and Mie University, Tsu. viii + 108 pages.

Corresponding Editor: Seishi Kimura (e-mail: [email protected])

The National Library of Malaysia Cataloging-in-Publication-Data

Fishes of the Northwestern Johor Strait, Peninsular Malaysia / Edited by Seishi Kimura, Aziz Arshad, Hisashi Imamura and Mazlan Abd Ghaffar Includes index ISBN 978-967-344-451-9 1. Fishes—Malaysia—Johor. 2. Fishes—Identification—Johor. 3. Fishes—Variation—Johor I. Kimura, Seishi, 1953–. II. Aziz Arshad. III. Imamura, Hisashi. IV. Mazlan Abd. Ghaffar. 597.095951194

Cover Design and Layout: Seishi Kimura Font: Palatino Linotype Size: 9/10 point

Printed by: Percetakan MESBAH Sdn. Bhd. No.11, Jalan Tun Perak 43000 Cheras Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia

Direct Orders to: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia Tel: 603-8946 8851/8946 8854 Fax: 603-89416172 e-mail: [email protected] v

Preface Complex Malaysian tropical aquatic ecosystem has always been inspiring for many who cherish the diverse aspect of its fauna and flora. Such a diversity account of life often results in interesting discoveries and satisfaction not only to the hobbyists and collectors but also to the researchers especially when new records and new species are of an utmost finding. However, the lack of local taxonomic information on the diversity of life on major Malaysian tropical ecosystems such as mangrove, seagrass and coral reef have to certain extent hampered the flow of educational interests and overall academic dissemination of diversity knowledge to interested parties. Recently Malaysian and Japanese scientists studied on fish diversity of the western side of Johor Strait particularly the areas surrounding the Merambong Shoal and Pulai River estuary through Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Asian Core Program and Ministry of Education Malaysia Program. Merambong Shoal with an estimated size of 26.3 hectares is a vastly inundated seagrass bed fringed on the landward side by the mangrove vegetations. The study area is a natural feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for many fish species due to the nature of its productivity and ample natural hideouts for the new recruits. The study signifies a close collaborative effort between ichthyologists from Japan and Malaysia within the scope of this diversified research program. The publication of this fish guidebook entitled ‘Fishes of the Northwestern Johor Strait, Peninsular Malaysia’ indeed is very timely as it would contribute towards better understanding on the dynamic aspects of the fishery resources particularly on its diversity. The study area has recently been experiencing some forms of physical developments that may cause negative impacts to the fish communities. A total of 149 species of fishes related to seagrass beds and mangroves were recorded during one and half years of sampling effort. This guidebook would be a good reference for public, students and researchers whose interest lies on the fish diversity and it is presented in the format of pictorial images and descriptive accounts of each of the listed species. I would like to give a credit again to UPM press for taking the initiative and concerted effort to realize the publication of this book. I would also like to congratulate all editors from Mie University, Hokkaido University, UPM and UMT, and other authors and photographers for their respective contributions and may this delighted effort be the impetus for incoming publications on the Malaysian fish species of the environmentally sensitive habitats.

Sincerely

Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Fauzi B. Hj Ramlan Vice Chancellor Universiti Putra Malaysia vi

Editors, Authors and Photographers Editors Japan ([email protected]) Seishi Kimura. Fisheries Research Laboratory, Mie Prachya Musikasinthorn. Research Laboratory University, 4190-172 Wagu, Shima-cho, Shima, Mie of Ichthyology, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart 517-0703, Japan (e-mail: [email protected]) University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand (e-mail: [email protected]) Aziz Arshad. Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Masanori Nakae. Department of Zoology, National Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia (e-mail: azizarshad@ Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, upm.edu.my) Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan (e-mail: nakae@ kahaku.go.jp) Hisashi Imamura. Laboratory of Marine Biology and Biodiversity (Systematic Ichthyology), Faculty Ukkrit Satapoomin. Phuket Marine Biological of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Center, P. O. Box 60, Phuket 83000, Thailand Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan (e-mail: ukkrit@ yahoo.com) (e-mail: [email protected]) Koichi Shibukawa. Nagao Natural Environment Mazlan Abd Ghaffar. School of Fisheries and Foundation, 3-10-10 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110- Aquaculture Sciences, Universiti Malaysia 0004, Japan (e-mail: [email protected]) Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia (e-mail: [email protected]) Siti TafzilMeriam bt. Sheikh Abdul Kadir. South China Sea Repository & Reference Center, Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Authors (alphabetical order) Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia (e-mail: sititafzil@ umt.edu. Aziz Arshad. See editor’s detail. my)

Mazlan Abd Ghaffar. See editor’s detail. Tomohiro Yoshida. The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, 1-21- Yusuke Hibino. Fisheries Research Laboratory, 24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan (e-mail: Mie University, 4190-172 Wagu, Shima-cho, Shima, [email protected]) Mie 517-0703, Japan (e-mail: noubidememoroko@ hotmail.com) Tetsuo Yoshino. Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu-sho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Hisashi Imamura. See editor’s detail. 905-0206, Japan (e-mail: [email protected])

Yukio Iwatsuki. Department of Marine Biology & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Photographers (alphabetical order) Univesity of Miyazaki, Gakuen-kibanadai-nishi 1-1, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan ([email protected]) Yusuke Hibino. See author’s detail.

Seishi Kimura. See editor’s detail. Seishi Kimura. See editor’s detail.

B. Mabel Manjaji-Matsumoto. Borneo Marine Mizuki Matsunuma. See author’s detail. Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (e-mail: mabel@ Hiroyuki Motomura. See author’s detail. ums.edu.my) Ukkrit Satapoomin. See author’s detail. Mizuki Matsunuma. Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, 1551-8 Taira, Nagasaki 851-2213, Satokuni Tashiro. The United Graduate School of Japan (e-mail: [email protected]) Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, 1-21- 24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan (e-mail: Keiichi Matsuura. Department of Zoology, National [email protected]) Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan (e-mail: matsuura@ Tomohiro Yoshida. See author’s detail. kahaku.go.jp) Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Science, Hiroyuki Motomura. The Kagoshima University Kochi University. 2-5-1 Akebono-cho, Kochi 780- Museum, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, 8520, Japan (e-mail: [email protected]) vii

Left to right: Shun Takeuchi, Aziz Arshad, Masanori Nakae, Seishi Kimura, Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, Hisashi Imamura, Satokuni Tashiro.

Left to right: Seishi Kimura, Keiichi Matsuura, Hisashi Imamura, Hiroyuki Motomura. Daichi Sasaki. viii

Contents Introduction...... 1 Nemipteridae...... 57 Dasyatidae...... 7 Lethrinidae...... 59 Muraenidae...... 10 Polynemidae...... 60 Ophichthidae...... 11 Sciaenidae...... 62 Muraenesocidae...... 12 Mullidae...... 65 Pristigasteridae...... 13 Toxotidae...... 67 Engraulidae...... 14 Drepaneidae...... 68 Chirocentridae...... 16 Chaetodontidae...... 70 Clupeidae...... 17 Terapontidae...... 71 Chanidae...... 20 Labridae...... 73 Plotosidae...... 21 Blenniidae...... 75 Ariidae...... 22 Callionymidae...... 76 Synodontidae...... 25 Eleotridae...... 77 Batrachoididae...... 26 Gobiidae...... 78 Hemiramphidae...... 27 Ephippidae...... 81 Syngnathidae...... 28 Scatophagidae...... 83 Aulostomidae...... 60 Siganidae...... 84 Tetrarogidae...... 29 Sphyraenidae...... 85 Synanceiidae...... 30 Trichiuridae...... 86 Platycephalidae...... 31 Scombridae...... 87 Ambassidae...... 34 Stromateidae...... 88 Latidae...... 36 Psettodidae...... 90 Centrogenyidae...... 37 Paralichthyidae...... 91 Apogonidae...... 38 Soleidae...... 93 Sillaginidae...... 41 Cynoglossidae...... 95 Echeneidae...... 42 Triacanthidae...... 98 Carangidae...... 43 Monacanthidae...... 101 Leiognathidae...... 46 Ostraciidae...... 104 Lutjanidae...... 50 Tetraodontidae...... 105 Gerreidae...... 52 Index...... 107 Haemulidae...... 54 1

Introduction

The waters of the western side of Johor Strait are to ichthyologists, fishery scientists and students in characterized by the shallow waterways that are the country and region. This field guidebook adopted fringed by mangroves and inundated sparsely with the style and arrangements seen in field guidebook seagrass vegetation. The Strait’s area stretches from series of marine fishes of Southeast Asia published the western side of the Johor-Singapore Causeway to by the JSPS (under the JSPS-Multilateral Cooperative the Tanjung Piai headland where it meets the Malacca Research Program, the JSPS-Core University Program Straits. The Johor-Singapore Causeway acts as a bar- and JSPS-International Training Program), the Na- rier which prevents water movement/mixing between tional Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, and the the east and west sides of the Johor Strait. In terms of Kagoshima University Museum (Kimura and Matsu- economic activities, Johor Strait is used as a boat pas- ura, 2003; Kimura et al., 2009; Matsunuma et al. 2011; sageway for fisherfolks and in some sites along the Yoshida et al. 2013). (A. Arshad) Strait, there are clusters of floating cages for the farm- ing of green mussels and finfishes. Due to the altered geography of the Strait, only the western side starting from Tanjung Pendas to Tanjung Piai has long been known as the fishing area for artisanal fishermen (or fishery). The high productive water from the mangrove debris and seagrass vegetation has created a near perfect habitat for feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for many finfishes and invertebrates. Most of the fish species found in the study area are species that are typical of the mangrove and seagrass habitats and are as such depend and link either di- rectly or indirectly on these two important habitats for their feeding and reproduction annual activities. There have been few fish surveys carried out in the study area previously (Sasekumar, 1989; Arshad et al., 2001, 2008; Ajak, 2007) with good biodiversity accounts of both pelagic and demersal species. Seagrass areas has the advantage of having more fish diversity count than non-seagrass habitats. The previous fish surveys relied mainly on gill net catches, that may result in lower species counts. The present JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Sci- ence) Asian Core fish diversity sampling programs in- corporated bottom trawling in addition to gill netting. This methodological approach has resulted in better accounts of the demersal species and added a significant number of fish species to the list. For the past five years, there has been a rapid coastal development works progressing in the study area, much of it owes to the expansion of the international Port of Tanjung Pelepas which involved reclamation of seaward areas and deepening of the navigation channel. More recent development is the reclamation of sea areas surrounding the Merambong seagrass beds for residential purpose. These on going activities have resulted in significant changes of water quality parameters and sediment characteristics. Based on the scale of the planned development of the area, it is pre- dicted that both the mangroves and seagrass habitats will be degraded and could possibly be totally cleared for development. The immediate impact could be on the diversity of fauna of seagrass and mangrove habitats including fish. The present work may well be the final comprehen- sive account of the fish biodiversity of this interesting area which includes a vast natural seagrass area. It is anticipated that the field guide of the fishes of the northwestern Johor Strait is of significant importance Map showing the Johor Strait. Drawn by H. Imamura. 2

Collection Sites Most fish specimens were collected from the main study areas of the JSPS ACORE project that include the shallow coastal waters of Pendas River to the Pu- lai River estuaries including the Merambong Shoal (01°19.979’N, 103°35.965’E) which is an inundated seagrass habitat. Merambong Shoal seagrass bed is a 30 ha sandy-mud subtidal shoals where 9 out of a total of 12 seagrass species recorded in Malaysia could be found (Japar Sidik et al., 2006). This whole area is the fishing area mainly for gill net operators with some other gears in used including hook and lines, bottom traps and fishing stakes. Under the two-year period of JSPS ACORE research program, sampling was mainly carried out using a mini bottom trawl net The catch of mini bottom trawl net. and also gill nets. Some fish specimens were bought over from fishermen boats that came back from fishing trip and also some sample acquisitions were from the fish stalls selling catches from the study areas. The systematic arrangement of families generally follows Nelson (2006). Species in families are arranged in alphabetical order by species name. (A. Arshad)

Local port at the mouth of Pendas River, the northwestern Johor Strait.

Mangrove creek near the northwestern Johor Strait (Pulai River).

Mini bottom trawl net operated by staff and students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia in the northwestern Johor Strait. H. Motomura (right) and local boat driver (left). 3

Methods of Measurements and Counts dal fin. Methods of measurements and counts generally GR −number of gill rakers. followed Nakabo (2002). For the fin formulae, the LGR −number of gill rakers on lower limb. numbers of spinous and soft fin rays are described by LL −number of lateral-line scales: number of scales on Roman numerals (I, II, III, …..) and Arabic numerals (1, lateral line from the scale on the shoulder girdle to 2, 3, …..), respectively. The unbranched soft rays are the caudal-fin base. sometimes expressed in small Roman numerals (i, ii, LLp −number of pored scales on lateral line: only the iii, …). Spinous fin rays are generally called spines. In number of pored scales on lateral line is counted. the case of the dorsal or anal (sometimes pectoral or LR −number of scales in longitudinal row: number of pelvic) fins containing spines and soft rays, the num- scales in longitudinal row from the dorsal end of bers of spines and soft rays are separated by a comma. the opercular membrane to the caudal-fin base.

When the dorsal (or anal) fin consists of 2 or more P1 −number of pectoral-fin rays. fins (i.e., 1st dorsal fin, 2nd dorsal fin, ….), each fin is P2 −number of pelvic-fin rays. separated by a hyphen. Gill rakers on the 1st gill arch PDS −number of predorsal scales: number of scales on on the right side of the body are used for counting. the dorsal midline from the origin of dorsal fin for- Numbers of gill rakers on the upper and lower limbs ward to occipital region. are separated by a “+” sign. When present, the one or PLp −preanal lateral-line pores: number of pores more gill rakers between the limbs are included in the along lateral line behind gill opening to just above lower limb. Numbers of vertebrae is included the uro- the anus. style. Counts of abdominal and caudal vertebrae are SL −standard length: linear distance from most an- separated by a “+” sign. terior point of upper lip (or snout) with mouth closed to caudal-fin base (posterior end of hypurals, A −number of anal-fin rays. roughly where fold formed by bending caudal fin). D −number of dorsal-fin rays. TL −total length: greatest linear distance between DPC −number of dorsal procurrent caudal fin rays. most anteriorly projecting part of head with mouth DW −disc width: extremities of the left and right pec- closed and farthest tip of caudal fin when caudal toral fins. rays squeezed together. All unspecified lengths are FL −fork length: linear distance from most anterior assumed to be total lengths. point of head to bottom of concave margin of cau- V −number of vertebrae. (H. Imamura)

1st dorsal fin caudal fin 2nd dorsal fin

anal fin subterminal notch gill slits pectoral fin tail spiracle eye pelvic fin snout

venomous spine

disc width

Body parts of elasmobranchs. 4

spinous portion of dorsal fin soft portion of dorsal fin lateral line

nape opercle caudal peduncle caudal fin eye

snout

upper jaw

lower jaw caudal fin base cheek preopercle anal fin pectoral fin pelvic fin Body parts of bony fish.

1st dorsal fin 2nd dorsal fin

scutes

eyelid

lateral line

finlets

detached anal fin spines

Body parts of carangid.

upper limb

gill raker

gill filament

lower limb

Gill arch of bony fish. 5

Acknowledgements living marine resources of the Western Central Pa- cific. Vol. 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Caran- The publication of this fish field guide book would gidae). FAO, Rome, v + 2069–2790. have not been possible without the closely coordinat- Carpenter, K. E. and V. H. Niem, eds. 2001. FAO spe- ed collaborative efforts of many different level of peo- cies identification guide for fishery purposes. The ple and working units who gave their endless lending living marine resources of the Western Central support and assistance in making the execution of the Pacific. Vol. 5. Bony fishes part 3 (Menidae to Poma- fish program activities and fieldworks possible. We centridae). FAO, Rome, iv + 2791–3379. would like first to thank Universiti Putra Malaysia Carpenter, K. E. and V. H. Niem, eds. 2001. FAO spe- and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia especially the cies identification guide for fishery purposes. The staff of the Centre of Marine Science Port Dickson and living marine resources of the Western Central Pa- the School of Environmental and Natural Resource cific. Vol. 6. Bony fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimae- Sciences for the logistics and technical assistance dur- riidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes ing field sampling. To the JSPS Asian Core Program and marine mammals. FAO, Rome, v + 3381–4218. National Coordinator Malaysian Network, Fatimah Doiuchi, R. and T. Nakabo. 2005. The Sphyraena Md Yusoff and JSPS Asian Core Program Coordinator obutsata group (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae) with a Shuhei Nishida, their endless support and contribu- description of a new species from southern Japan. tion are very much appreciated. The editors would Ichthyol. Res., 52: 132–151. also like to record our greatest gratitude and heartfelt Gistel, J. 1848. Naturgeschichte des Thierreichs, für thanks to the authors and photographers for their ex- höhere Schulen. Stuttgart. xvi + 216, 32 pls. pert contribution; to Daichi Sasaki (Mie University), Golani, D., R. Fricke and Y. Tikochinski. 2011. Reha- Shun Takeuchi (Mie University) and Satokuni Tashiro bilitation of Sillago erythraea Cuvier, and redescrip- for help with field collections; and to Hiromitsu Endo tion of Sillago sihama (Forsskål) (Teleostei: Sillagini- (Kochi University) for providing a color photograph. dae) from the Red Sea. Stuttgarter Beiträge zur This work was supported in part by Japan Society for Naturkunde A, Neue Serie., 4: 465–171. the Promotion of Science Asian Core Program and Golani, D. , R. Fricke and Y. Tikochinski. 2013. Sillago Ministry of Education Malaysia. suezensis, a new whiting from the northern Red Sea, and status of Sillago erythraea Cuvier (Teleostei: Sil- laginidae). J. Natl. Hist., 2013: 413–468. References Jaafar, Z., M. Perrig and L.M. Chou. 2009. Periophthal- Ajak, J. A. 2007. Species composition, distribution and mus variabilis (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Oxudercinae), a feeding guilds of fishes from Sungai Pulai seagrass valid species of mudskipper, and a re-diagnosis of beds, Malaysia. Master of Science Thesis. Universiti Periophthalmus novemradiatus. Zool. Sci., 26: 309–314. Putra Malaysia, 16. Japar Sidik, B., M. Harah Zakaria and A. Arshad. Allen, G. R. 1985. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 6. 2006. Distribution and significance of seagrass Snappers of the world. An annotated and illustrated ecosystems in Malaysia. Aquat. Ecosyst. Health. catalogue of lutjanid species known to date. FAO, Manag., 9: 203–214. Rome, vi + 208, 28 pls. Jordan, D. S. 1919. Note on Gistel’s genera of fishes. Allen, G. R. 1998 A review of the marine catfish genus Proc. Acad. Natl. Sci. Phil., 70: 335–340. Paraplotosus (Plotosidae) with the description of a Kimura, S., D. Golani, Y. Iwatsuki, M. Tabuchi and new species from north-western Australia. Raffles T. Yoshino. 2007. Redescriptions of the Indo-Pacific Bull. Zool., 46: 123–134. atherinid fishes Atherinomorus forskalii, Atherino- Arshad, A., B. Japar Sidik and Z. Muta Harah. 2001. morus lacunosus, and Atherinomorus pinguis. Ichthyol. Fishes associated with seagrass habitat. Pages 81–98 Res., 54: 160–167. in Japar Sidik, B., A. Arshad, S. G. Tan, S. K. Daud, H. Kimura, S., K. Ikejima, and Y. Iwatsuki. 2008b. Eu- A. Jambari and S. Sugiyama, eds. Aquatic resource bleekeria Fowler 1904, a valid genus of Leiognathi- and environmental studies of the Straits of Malacca: dae (Perciformes). Ichthyol. Res., 55: 202–203. current research and reviews. Malacca Straits Re- Kimura, S., R. Kimura, and K. Ikejima. 2008a. Revi- search and Development Centre (MASDEC), Uni- sion of the genus Nuchequula with descriptions of versiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang Selangor. three new species (Perciformes: Leiognathidae). Ich- Arshad, A., A. Jimmy, S. M. Nurul Amin, B. Japar thyol. Res., 55: 22–42. Sidik and Z. M. Harah. 2008. Length-weight and Kimura, S. and K. Matsuura (eds.). 2003. Fishes of length-length relationship of five fish species col- Bitung, norhern tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Ocean lected from seagrass beds of the Sungai Pulai es- Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, tuary, Peninsular Malaysia. J. Appl. Ichthyol., 24: vi + 244. 328–329. Kimura, S., H. Motomura, and Y. Iwatsuki. 2008. Carpenter, K. E. and V. H. Niem, eds. 1999. FAO spe- Equulites Fowler 1904, a senior synonym of Photop- cies identification guide for fishery purposes. The lagios Sparks, Dunlap, and Smith 2005 (Perciformes: living marine resources of the Western Central Pa- Leiognathidae). Ichthyol. Res., 55: 204–205. cific. Vol. 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fish- Kimura, S., U. Satapoomin, and K. Matsuura (eds.). es part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome, 2009. Fishes of Andaman Sea, west coast of south- vi + 1397–2068. ern Thailand. National Muesum of Nature and Sci- Carpenter, K. E. and V. H. Niem, eds. 1999. FAO spe- ence, Tokyo, vi + 346. cies identification guide for fishery purposes. The Klausewitz, W. 1960. Fische aus dem Roten Meer. 6

IV. Einige systematisch und ökologisch be- Rome, vii + 117, 6 pls. merkenswerte Meergrundeln (Pisces, Gobiidae). Nakabo, T., ed. 2002. Fishes of Japan with pictorial Senck. Biol., 41: 149–162. keys to the species, English edition. Tokai Univer- Kottelat, M. 2013. Nomenclature and identity of the sity Press, Tokyo, lxi +vii + 1749. tongue soles Paraplagusia bilineata, “Cynoglossus Nelson, J. S. 2006. Fishes of the world. Fourth edition. bilineatus” and Paraplagusia blochii (Teleostei: Pleuro- John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, xix + 601. nectiformes). Raffles Bull. Zool.,61 : 763–766. Randall, J. E. 1995. Coastal fishes of Oman. Crawford Kottelat, M. 2013. The fishes of the inland waters of House Publishing, Bathurst, xvi + 439. Southeast Asia: a catalogue and core bibiography Randall, J. E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South of the fishes known to occur in freshwaters, man- Pacific. New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn groves and estuaries. Raffles Bull. Zool. Suppl., 27: Islands. University of Hawai’i Press, Honolulu, xii + 1–663. 707. Mabuchi, K. , T. H. Fraser, H. Song, Y. Azuma and Russell, B. C. 1990. FAO species catalogue. Vol. M. Nishida. 2014. Revision of the systematics of the 12. Nemipterid of the world (threadfin breams, cardinalfishes (Percomorpha: Apogonidae) based whiptail breams, monocle breams, dwarf monocle on molecular analyses and comparative reevalu- breams, and coral breams). Family Nemipteridae. ation of morphological characters. Zootaxa, 3846: An annotated and illustrated catalogue of nemip- 151–203. terid species known to date. FAO, Rome, vi + 87. Matsunuma, M., H. Motomura, K. Matsuura, N. A. Sasekumar, A., C. M. U. Leh, V. C. Chong, D. Rebecca M. Shazili and M. A. Ambak, eds. 2011. Fishes of and M. L. Audrey. 1989. The Sungai Pulai (Johor): a Terengganu – east coast of Malay Peninsula, Ma- unique mangrove estuary. Pages 191–211 in Phang, laysia. National Museum of Nature and Science, S. M., A. Sasekumar and S. Vinkinaswary (eds.). Tokyo, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Ka- Procedings 12th Annual Seminar of the Malaysian goshima University Museum, ix + 251. Society of Marine Science: Research priorities for Matsuura, K. and S. Kimura, eds. 2005. Fishes of Li- marine sciences in the 90’s. MSMS, Kuala Lumpur. bong Island, west coast of southern Thailand. Ocean Van der Laan, R., W. N. Eschmeyer and R. Fricke. Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, vii + 2014. Family-group names of recent fishes. Zootaxa, 78. 3882: 1–230. Matsuura, K., O. K. Sumadhiharga and K. Tsukamoto, Whitehead, P. J. P. 1985. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 7. eds. 2000. Field guide to Lombok Island. Identifica- Clupeoid fishes of the world (suborder Clupeoidei). tion guide to marine organisms in seagrass beds of An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the her- Lombok Island, Indonesia. Ocean Research Insti- rings, sardines, pilchards, sprats, shads, anchovies tute, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, viii + 449. and wolf-herrings. Part 1. Chilocentridae, Clupei- McKay, R. J. 1992. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 14. Sil- dae, and Pristigasteridae. FAO, Rome, x + 303. laginid fishes of the world (family Sillaginidae). An Whitehead, P. J. P., G. J. Nelson, and T. Wongratana. annotated and illustrated catalogue of the sillago, 1988. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 7. Clupeoid fishes smelt or Indo-Pacific whiting species known to date. of the world (suborder Clupeoidei). An annotated FAO, Rome, vi + 208, 28 pls. and illustrated catalogue of the herrings, sardines, McKay, R. J. 1999. Sillaginidae. Pages 2614–2629 in pilchards, sprats, shads, anchovies and wolf- Carpenter, K. E. and V. H. Niem, eds., FAO species herrings. Part 2. Engraulididae. FAO, Rome, xiii + identification guide for fishery purposes. The liv- 305–579. ing marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Yoshida, T., H. Motomura, P. Musikasinthorn, and Vol. 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangi- K. Matsuura, eds. 2013. Fishes of northern Gulf of dae). FAO, Rome. Thailand. National Museum of Nature and Science, Motomura, H. 2004. FAO species catalogue for fish- Tsukuba, Research Institute for Humanity and Na- ery purposes. No. 3. Threadfins of the world (family ture, Kyoto, and Kagoshima University Museum, Polynemidae). An annotated and illustrated cata- Kagoshima. viii + 239. logue of polynemid species known to date. FAO, 7

DASYATIDAE Stingrays Small to very large batoids; maximum size 5 m TL, 2 m DW. Head, trunk, and greatly enlarged head not projecting pectoral fins fully fused to form a from disc strongly flattened oval, circular, tail long, slender, whip- or rhomboidal disc; tail moder- like, without dorsal or ately depressed and/or cylindrical, caudal fins whip-like; tail skin fold present or absent on dorsal and ventral surfaces. Head not projecting from disc; eyes and spiracles dorsolateral on head. Five pairs of gill openings on ventral side of disc. Body usually with denticles, thorns, and tubercles on the dorsal surface of ventral skin fold disc and tail. In most species, tail with 1–4 stinging spines (stings). Color: grayish brown or brownish stinging spine(s) green dorsally, paler ventrally; a usually present few species with bluish, whitish, or blackish spots, rings, or reticu- the area: Plesiobatidae–tail stout, disc extremely broad (more than lations. with a long leaf-like caudal fin. 1.5 times as broad as long), tail Remarks: occur in marine, es- Rajidae–tail not whip-like, with very short (shorter than ½ disc tuarine, and fresh-water habitat small posterior dorsal fins, and/or width). Myliobatidae–head dis- in temperate and tropical areas caudal fins; pelvic fins subdivided. tinct from disc; pectoral apices worldwide. Narcinidae–stout tail with dorsal angular, acute. Similar families occurring in and caudal fins. Gymnuridae– (B. M. Manjaji-Matsumoto)

Dasyatis zugei (Müller and Henle, 1841) Sharpnose Stingray Pari Nyiru Disc with broadly rounded apices; tail relatively short, tapering in thickness beyond sting; weak dorsal skin fold on tail beyond sting; long, low ventral skin fold on tail; a few small thorns along midline of disc dorsally; row of small thorns on tail before sting in adults; snout very elongate; no oral papillae in mouth. Color: disc brownish dorsally; disc pale or dark edged Dasyatis zugei, 21.7 cm DW (photo by S. Kimura) ventrally. Size: maximum width 29 cm DW. Distribution: Indo- West Pacific, from India to eastern Indonesia (Bali) and northwards to southern Japan. Remarks: demersal on insular and continental shelves, to depths of at least 40 m. Vivipa- rous, gives birth to litters of 1–10 pups; feeds on bottom crustaceans; marketed fresh. (B. M. Manjaji-Matsumoto)

Dasyatis zugei, 12.5 cm DW (from Doson, Vietnam; photo by S. Kimura) 8

Himantura gerrardi (Gray, 1851) Whitespotted Whipray Pari Bintik Putih Disc quadrangular; tail long, whip- like, no skin folds on tail; widely spaced granular denticles on central disc (absent in small juveniles); central disc usually with 1–5 small thorns; tail lacking thorns; sting situated anteriorly on tail. Color: disc with numerous white spots (rarely plain grayish brown) dorsally; white ventrally; tail with alternating light and dark bands (rarely faint). Size: maximum width 85 cm DW. Distribution: widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, from India to eastern Indonesia, north to Taiwan. Remarks: demersal on soft bottoms, from inshore to depths of at least 60 m; feeds primarily on small bottom crustaceans, but also small fishes; marketed fresh, the skin is Himantura gerrardi, 20.1 cm DW (photo by S. Kimura) valuable as leather. (B. M. Manjaji-Matsumoto)

Himantura walga (Müller and Henle, 1841) Dwarf Whipray Pari Ketuka Tanjung Disc almost oval; tail short, not whip-like (tip bulbous in adult females); no skin folds on tail; nar- rowband of flat denticles on central disc inadults; mid-disc thorns absent or rudimentary; tail thorns very elongate, bases nearly half eye diameter inlength; sting situated Himantura walga, 7.5 cm DW (photo by S. Kimura) anteriorly on tail; snout broadly triangular. Color: grayish or brownish dorsally (without a pattern); whitish ventrally, sometimes with a yellowish gray posterior margin. Size: maximum width 45 cm DW. Distribution: off Thailand, Malay- sia and Indonesia. Remarks: demersal on insular and continental shelves, and occasionally in coastal embayments. Used for its meat, fresh and dried. (B. M. Manjaji-Matsumoto)

Himantura walga, 15.7 cm DW (from Selangor, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) 9

Neotrygon kuhlii (Müller and Henle, 1841) Bluespotted Maskray Pari Lalat Disc quadrangular, wider than long; tail broad-based, about 1½ times longer than disc, with short dorsal skin fold tail posterior sting tip, and long ventral skin fold below sting base; disc naked, except for a short row of flattened thorn in scapular region; tail lacking thorns, sting situated anteriorly on tail. Color: disc greyish to reddish brown with numerous dark-edged bright blue spots dorsally (rarely plain with blue specks); white ventrally, with blackish posterior margins; a dark transverse bar Neotrygon kuhlii, 22.0 cm DW (photo by S. Kimura) across eyes; tail tip with alternating broad white and black bands. Size: at least 47 cm DW, 76 cm TL. General distribution: widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, from In- dia through Southeast Asia, east to Melanesia, and north to Japan. Remarks: demersal on soft bottoms, from inshore to depths of 90 m; feeds primarily on small bottom crustaceans, but also small fishes; marketed fresh, or sun-dried. (B. M. Manjaji-Matsumoto)

Taeniura lymma (Forsskål, 1775) Neotrygon kuhlii, 41.3 cm DW Bluespotted Fantail Ray (from Iriomote Island, Japan; photo Pari Karang by S. Kimura) Disc oval; tail base broad, tapering beyond sting; ventral skin fold on tail relatively deep, extending to tail tip; dorsal surface almost smooth to granular (denticles very small); 2 stings, located posteriorly on tail. Color: disc and tail brownish or orangish dorsally, disc with numerous bright blue spots, tail with blue stripe on each side before sting. Size: maximum width 35 cm DW. Distribution: widespread in Indo-West Pacific, from southern Africa to the Solomon Islands, south to tropical Australia, and north to the Philippines and Viet- nam. Remarks: dominant ray in coral reef habitats; occurs in inshore to depths of at least 20 m; feeds on molluscs, polychaetes and crustaceans; marketed fresh. (B. M. Manjaji-Matsumoto) Taeniura lymma, 14.1 cm DW (photo by S. Kimura) 10

MURAENIDAE Morays

Small to very large eels, maximum length attaining to 375 cm. Body elongate. Dorsal profile of head above and behind eye raised. Posterior nostril high on head Eye well developed. Snout short to elongate. Mouth large, gape usually extending behind posterior margin of eye. Posterior nostril high on head, above or before eye, Pectoral and pelvic fins absent a simple pore or in a tube. Gill openings restricted to small round hole or slit. Dorsal and anal fins variously developed, continuous with caudal fin around tail tip. Pectoral and pelvic fins absent. Lateral-line pores absent on body except for 1 or 2 above and before gill opening. Color: variable, from sionally entering freshwater. Many nearly uniform to distinctive pat- are found in shallow waters, in- terns of spots, blotches bars, and/ habiting rocks and coral reef (some mouth. Ophichthidae–posterior or reticulations. in mud bottom to depths of 500 m). nostril low on side of head, on lip, Remarks: Muraenids usually Similar families occurring in or opening inside mouth. Congri- known from tropical and subtropi- the area: Chlopsidae–posterior dae–pectoral fin usually present. cal seas, some species in or occa- nostril low on snout or inside (H. Imamura)

Gymnothorax tile (Hamilton, 1822) Indian Mud Moray Belut Laut Ular V 120–130. Body elongate and laterally compressed; tail short, anus located about mid-body. Snout blunt; mouth subterminal. Teeth on prevomer and jaws conical, canine- like; prevomer teeth triserial; jaws biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly; vomerine teeth broad but its tip somewhat pointed, arranged in irregular 2 rows. Origin Gymnothorax tile, 34.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) of dorsal fin anterior to gill opening. Color: body brown with numerous whitish thunder-like flecks and small spots; anterior nostril and iris whitish. Size: maximum length about 60 cm. Distribution: found in east coast of India, Andaman, Sin- gapore, Indonesia and Philippines. Remarks: inhabits coastal waters in muddy bottom, sometimes in estuaries or lower part of river. (Y. Hibino)

Gymnothorax tile, 41.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 11

OPHICHTHIDAE Snake Eels and Worm Eels Marine fishes, some species in or occasionally entering freshwa- pectoral fin present or absent dorsal fin present or absent ter. Body snake-like or worm-like, more or less rounded in cross sec- scale absent tion. Throat swollen. Eye usually small and just above mouth. Snout throat swollen pointed. Anterior nostril tubular, near tip of snout. Posterior nostril low on head, on lip, or opening anal fin present or absent inside of mouth. Mouth moderate to large, terminal or inferior. Teeth caudal fin present variable in form, from fang-like to or absent conical to molariform to villiform. Gill opening midlateral to completely ventral, round or slit-like. Remarks. Ophichthyids occur Dorsal, anal, pectoral and caudal in a wide variety of habitats from muddy estuaries to coral reefs anterior nostril tubular, near fins present or absent; when cau- tip of snout dal fin present, confluent with to the midwater realm, from the dorsal and anal fins, when absent, shore to depths of 700–800 m or tip of tail often hard and pointed. more, but most occur in less than Lateral line complete, usually with 200 m. well developed pores on head and Similar familis occurring in the body. Scales absent. Color: highly area: Muraenidae–posterior nostril high on head, above or before eye, posterior nostril low on head, variable, from uniform light or on lip, or opening inside of dark to various patterns of spots, a simple pore or in a tube. Murae- mouth stripes, or bars; usually darker nesocidae–throat not swollen. dorsally than ventrally. (H. Imamura)

Pisodonophis cancrivorus (Richardson, 1848) Longfin Snake Eel Belin Sirip Panjang P1 13–14; PLp 53–60; V 152–163. Body elongate and cylindrical. A small projection located between nostrils. Teeth blunt and short, 2–4 rows of teeth forming tooth patch in jaws and vomer. Origin of dorsal fin located between a level of gill opening and posterior margin of pectoral fin. Tip of tail pointed without caudal fin. Color: body darkish or yellowish brown, belly whitish; margin of cephalic sensory pores black; median fins light brown with dark brown margin; pectoral fins brown to black. Size: maximum length about 100 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-Pacific including the Red Sea, from East Africa to French Poly- nesia, north to Japan. Remarks: inhabits in shallow water above ca. 100 m depth in muddy and sandy bottoms. (Y. Hibino) Pisodonophis cancrivorus 39.7 cm TL (from Taiwan; photo by Y. Hibino) 12

MURAENESOCIDAE Pike Congers

Median to large sized (up to mouth terminal more than 1 m) marine fishes. Body moderately elongate, compressed along tail. Head moderate to moderately elongate. Eye well developed. Snout moderate to mouth extends large gill opeinig acute, projects somewhat beyond beyond eye tip of lower jaw. Mouth large, gape ends behind posterior margin of eye; lips without fleshy flanges; tips of lower jaw with enlarged teeth that fit into a notch in underside of snout when mouth closed. Teeth large, prominent, sharp; plete, but usually opening through of snout without a conspicuous multiserial on jaws; typically in 3 a complex or branching system of notch; teeth on vomer typically rows on vomer, with a median row multiple pores rather than a single inconspicuous; gill openings not of canines flanked on each side pore per segment. Scales absent. meeting across midline. Anguilli- by a row of much smaller teeth. Color: brown or silver gray to dae–body covered with embedded Anterior nostril tubular, on side black, lighter ventrally; vertical scales; lower jaw projecting slight- of snout just behind tip; posterior fins usually edged in black; no dis- ly. Ophichthidae–no caudal fin nostril a simple opening in front of tinct patterns or markings. but tail tip pointed in most genera; eye at approximately mid-eye lev- Remarks: muraenesocids are throat swollen; a median frontal el. Gill opening a large, oblique slit found in tropical and subtropi- pore on head. Muraenidae–no pec- in front of and below pectoral fins; cal coastal waters of worldwide, toral fin; gill opening a small hole. gill openings of the 2 sides nearly inhabit primarily on sand or mud Chlopsidae–gill opening a small meet on ventral midline, inter- bottoms. Commonly collected hole; vomer teeth in 2 divergent space much smaller than length of with bottom trawls. rows; lateral line reduced; pectoral gill opening. Dorsal and anal fins Similar families occurring in fins present or absent. well developed. Lateral line com- the area: Congridae–underside (M. Matsunuma)

Muraenesox cinereus (Forsskål, 1775) Daggertooth Pike Conger Malong Perak D before anus 66–78; PLp 39–47; V 145–159. Body elongate and subcylindrical, tail laterally compressed. Snout long and slender, its tip somewhat blunt. Elongate and pointed teeth on intermaxilla and anterior tip of lower jaw; 3 rows of teeth on vomer, extremely large triangle canine teeth on center row; jaws 2 or 3 rows. Origin of dorsal fin located between a level of gill opening and posterior margin of pectoral fin. Color: body entirely silvery or golden color, dark brown dorsally and light brown ventrally; edge of median fins black; pectoral fins light brown to black. Size: maximum length about 150 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Muraenesox cinereus, 30.0 cm TL (photo by S. Kimura) Sea to Indonesia, north to Japan. Remarks: inhabits in shallow water above ca. 100 m depth in muddy and sandy bottoms. (Y. Hibino) 13

PRISTIGASTERIDAE Longfin Herrings Moderate to large fishes (maximum length 55 cm SL, usually mouth usually 20–25 cm SL), with compressed, superior elongated or deep body. Mouth pelvic-fin insertion be- usually superior or terminal in fore dorsal-fin origin some species; upper jaw with 2 lateral line absent supramaxillae; lower-jaw articulation under eye; teeth on jaws small or minute, canines only in a west- lower-jaw articula- ern Atlantic species, Chirocentrodon tion under eye more than 30 anal-fin rays bleekerianus. Eyelids with broad complete series of vertical opening in middle. Bran- scutes along abdomen chiostegals 6. Fins without spines; cies entering estuaries, and a few no abdominal scutes; gular plate dorsal fin single, short (absent in species restricted to freshwater. present; numerous branchiostegal Indo-West Pacific species, Raconda Food fishes used as fresh, dried, or rays (more than 20). Albulidae– russeliana), situated near midpoint salted ones. lateral line present; no abdominal of body; anal fin long, 30–92 rays; Similar families occurring in scutes; gular plate present. Chiro- pectoral fins moderate or large; the area. Pristigasteridae different centridae–body highly compressed pelvic fins with 6 or 7 rays, situ- from other similar families in hav- and elongate; no abdominal scutes; ated before dorsal-fin origin, but ing lower-jaw articulation under jaws with developed fang-like ca- absent in some genera; caudal fin eye, pelvic fins inserting before nine teeth. Clupeidae–pelvic fins forked. Body covered with cycloid dorsal-fin origin, long anal fin with inserting just below dorsal-fin ori- scales; a complete series of scutes more than 30 rays, a complete se- gin; anal fin short with less than 28 along abdomen; lateral line absent. ries of scutes along abdomen, and rays. Engraulidae–snout pig-like Color: bluish green dorsally, blight no lateral line. Elopidae–lateral and projecting; jaw articulation silver laterally and ventrally. line present; no abdominal scutes; well behind eye. Chanidae–lateral Remarks. Schooling fishes gular plate present; numerous line present; no abdominal scutes; found in coastal areas of tropical branchiostegal rays (more than 20). branchiostegal rays few (4 or 5). and subtropical seas; some spe- Megalopidae–lateral line present, (S. Kimura)

Ilisha megaloptera (Swainson, 1839) Bigeye Ilisha Puput Beliak Mata D 17–18; A 38–53; P1 16–18; P2 6–7; LGR 18–23. Body compressed, moderately deep (body depth 28– 39% SL); abdomen sharply keeled with 19–23 prepelvic and 8–12 postpelvic scutes (28–35, usually 30–34 in total). Mouth superior, Ilisha megaloptera, 13.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) lower jaw obliquely upward; upper jaw reaching a vertical through anterior margin of pupil; no toothed hypomaxilla between posterior tip of premaxilla and blade of maxilla; shaft of maxilla without distinct lobe or flange between posterior tip of premaxilla and blade of maxilla. Swimbladder with a single posterior tube. Scales cycloid; vertical striae nearly reaching to midline of scale, but discontinuas . Caudal- fin lobes without extended tips, not lunate. Color: blue-green dorsally, Ilisha megaloptera, 16.8 cm SL silvery ventrally. Size: maximum (from Port Dickson, Malyasia; photo by S. Kimura) 27.5 cm SL. Distribution: eastern Indian Ocean (from Arabian Sea to Andaman Sea) and West Pacific Kalimantan). Remarks: found in reaches of rivers. Marketed fresh, (South China Sea to Java Sea and coastal waters, estuaries, and lower dried, or boiled. (S. Kimura)

ENGRAULIDAE Anchovies Small to medium-sized fishes (mostly less than 20 cm, some larger) with silver-colored, fu- snout projecting siform or slender body. Mouth inferior; snout projecting beyond lateral line absent tip of lower jaw; jaw articulation well behind eye; upper jaw with 2 supramaxillae; teeth on jaws ab- mouth inferior sent or minute, rarely canines. Fins upper jaw extending without spines; dorsal fin short beyond hind marrgin of usually 7 pelvic-fin rays eye and single, situated near midpoint of body, far forward in Coilia; anal fin mostly short, less than 25 rays, tonic animals and plants. Small Chirocentridae–body highly com- but long in some (to over 100 rays); but important food fishes used as pressed and elongate; no abdomi- pectoral fins set low on body; pel- fresh, dried, or salted ones, taken nal scutes; jaw articulation vertical vic fins abdominal usually with 7 by beach seine and other variety of below eye; jaws with developed rays; caudal fin deeply forked, but nets. Regionally some species have fang-like canine teeth. Clupeidae– small and pointed in some. Body great contribution to local catches. snout not pig-like and projecting; covered with cycloid scales; scutes Similar families occurring in jaw articulation anterior to verti- often present along abdomen; lat- the area. Engraulidae different cal below eye. Pristigasteridae– eral line absent. from other clupeoid families in snout not pig-like and projecting; Remarks. Schooling fishes having projecting and pig-like lower jaw projecting; jaw articula- found in marine coastal areas, snout, slender lower jaw, and tion anterior to vertical below eye. mostly feeding on small plank- jaw articulation well behind eye. (T. Yoshino)

Stolephorus baganensis Delsman, 1931 Bagan Anchovy / Bilis Bagan A 21–22; LGR 20–23. Body slender, somewhat compressed; abdomen with 6–7 (usually 6) small needle- like prepelvic scutes, but no postpelvic scutes; pelvic scute with spine; a small predorsal spine-like scute present. Posterior tip of maxilla pointed, extending to or beyond posterior border of preopercle; posterior border of preopercle rounded, indented near tip of maxilla. Stolephorus baganensis, 4.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Isthmus muscle reaching to and beyond gill membrane. A few small teeth somewhat present on upper edge of hyoid bones. Anal fin short, its origin situated below middle of dorsal fin base; caudal fin large and forked. Scales cycloid; longitudinal scale rows about 34–36. Color: body semitranslucent, with a broad silver stripe midlaterally; a double pigment line on dorsum posterior to dorsal fin.Size: maximum length about 9 cm. Distribution: eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific. Stolephorus baganensis, 8.2 cm SL Remarks: schooling fish found in (from Selangor, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) coastal waters. The authorship of the scientific name follows Kottelat (2013b). (M. Matsunuma)

Stolephorus chinensis (Günther, 1880) China Anchovy / Bilis China D 16–17; A 21–23; P1 12–13; P2 7; LGR 24–28. Body somewhat deep, compressed; abdomen with 4–7 (usually 5–6) small needle-like prepelvic scutes, but no postpelvic scutes; pelvic scute without spine; no predorsal spine-like scute. Posterior tip of maxilla pointed, reaching to posterior border of preopercle; posterior border of preopercle convex, rounded. Isthmus Stolephorus chinensis, 6.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) muscle reaching to and beyond gill membrane. Anal fin short, its origin situated below middle of dorsal fin base; caudal fin large and forked. Scales cycloid; ca. 36–39 in longitudinal row. Color: body light transparent, with a broad silver stripe midlaterally; a pair of dark botches behind occiput, dorsum Syntype of Engraulis chinensis, BMNH 1860.7.20.10, 8.4 cm SL without dark lines. Size: maximum (from China; photo by S. Kimura) ca. 9 cm SL. Distribution: western Pacific Ocean from southern China to Singapore. Remarks: schooling fish found in coastal waters. (S. Kimura)

Thryssina hamiltoni (Gray, 1835) Hamilton's Thryssa Kasai Minyak D 13–15; A 32–45 (usually 35–37);

P1 12–13; P2 7; LGR 11–15 (usually 12–14). Body somewhat deep, compressed; abdomen with 15–20 Thryssa hamiltoni, 15.2 cm SL (usually 16–19) prepelvic and 9–12 (from Port Dickson, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) (usually 10–11) postpelvic keeled scutes, 26–31 (usually 27–29) in total number; a small predorsal spine-like scute present. Teeth in jaws small or minute, not canine- like. Posterior tip of maxilla pointed, extending to or beyond slightly posterior border of operculum. Anal fin long, its origin situated posterior to dorsal-fin base; upper pectoral-fin ray not extended as a filament. Scales cycloid; longitudinal scale rows 41–46. Color: body silvery white, grayish brown above, with a dark blotch of horizontal Thryssa hamiltoni, 14.6 cm SL wavy black lines on shoulder just (from Songkhla, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) posterior to upper part of gill opening; dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins yellowish; caudal fin yellow; anal fin whitish. Size: maximum ca. 20 ern Australia, north to Taiwan and aries. Marketed fresh, dried, dried- cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Ogasawara Is., Japan. Remarks: oc- salted. The generic name follows Pacific, from Persian Gulf to north- curring in inshore waters and estu- Kottelat (2013b). (S. Kimura) 16

CHIROCENTRIDAE Wolf Herrings Medium to large-sized silvery 2 fang-like teeth on fishes; maximum size about 1 m upper jaw SL. Body elongate and strongly compressed without pelvic scutes. Two fang-like teeth on upper jaw; lateral line absent a series of canine teeth on lower jaw. Eyes relatively small, with no scutes on belly eyelids completely covering eyes. Gill rakers 17–22; branchiostegal rays 8. No spinous fin rays; dor- pyloric caeca; spiral valve present Chirocentrus, with 2 species. sal fin with 16–19 rays, its origin in intestine. Total vertebrae 69–75. Similar families occurring in just above anal-fin origin, its base Color: dark bluish green dorsally, the area: Elopidae and Chanidae– shorter than anal-fin base; anal fin blight silver laterally and ventrally. no fang-like teeth; lateral line pres- with 30–35 rays; caudal fin deeply Remarks. Occurring in coastal ent. Engraulidae, Pristigasteridae, forked; pelvic fins small, abdomi- area of Indo-West Pacific, from and Clupeidae–no fang-like teeth; nal, with 6 or 7 rays. Scales small South Africa to Japan and Austra- scutes usually present on belly. cycloid; lateral line absent. No lia. Feeds on fishes. A single genus, (S. Kimura)

Chirocentrus nudus Swainson, 1839 Whitefin Wolf-herring / Parang D 16–18; A 30–34; P1 14–15; P2 7; GR 2–5 + 12–18. Body elongate, strongly compressed, belly sharp, but without any scutes; pectoral fin comparatively long, 13–18% SL. Chirocentrus nudus, 37.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Mouth large, directed upward; both jaws with large canine teeth anteriorly. Scales cycloid, very small. Color: dark blue-green dorsally, silvery ventrally; no black markings on upper part of dorsal fin; caudal fin blackish. Size: maximum 1 m SL, commonly 30–50 cm SL. Distri- bution: widely distributed in Indo- West Pacific from East coast of Af- Chirocentrus nudus, 21.8 cm SL rica to Papua New Guinea, north to (from Port Dickson, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) southern China, south to northern Australia. Remarks: similar to Chi- rocentrus dorab, but distinguished by no black marking on dorsal fin. Feeds on small fishes, crustaceans, squids, etc. Marketed fresh. (S. Kimura)

Chirocentrus dorab, 37.4 cm SL (from Selangor, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) 17

CLUPEIDAE Herrings (Sardines) Small to medium-sized fishes (mostly 10 to 20 cm, some exceeding 50 cm) with silver-colored fusiform body, compressed or oval in cross-section. Mouth terminal or somewhat superior except for members of Dorosomatinae with lateral line absent mouth fully inferior; upper jaw mostly with 2 supramaxillae; jaw articulation always anterior to vertical below eye; teeth on jaws branchiostegal rays usually 5–10 8–9 pelvic-fin rays mostly absent or minute, sometimes with canines. Fins without spines; dorsal fin single, situated near midpoint of body; anal fin great contribution to local catches. ous branchiostegal rays (more short less than 28 rays; pectoral Similar families occurring in than 20). Albulidae–lateral line fins set low on body; pelvic fins the area. Clupeidae different from present; no abdominal scutes; abdominal with 8 or 9 rays; caudal other similar families in having gular plate present. Chirocentri- fin deeply forked. Body covered jaw articulation before vertical dae–body highly compressed and with cycloid scales; a series of through eye, mostly 2 supramax- elongate; no abdominal scutes; scutes along abdomen; lateral line illae, pelvic fins inserting below jaws with developed fang-like ca- absent. short dorsal fin, short anal fin less nine teeth. Pristigasteridae–pelvic Remarks. Schooling fishes than 28 rays, a series of scutes fins inserting anterior to vertical found in marine coastal areas, along abdomen, and no lateral through dorsal-fin origin; anal fin mostly feeding on small plank- line. Elopidae–lateral line present; long more than 30 rays. Engrauli- tonic animals and plants. Small no abdominal scutes; gular plate dae–snout pig-like and projecting; but important food fishes used as present; numerous branchiostegal jaw articulation well behind eye. fresh, dried, or salted ones, taken rays (more than 20). Megalopidae– Chanidae–lateral line present; no by beach seine and other variety of lateral line present, no abdominal abdominal scutes; branchiostegal nets. Regionally some species have scutes; gular plate present; numer- rays few (4 or 5). (T. Yoshino)

Anodontostoma chacunda (Hamilton, 1822) Chacunda Gizzard Shad Kebasi Kuasi D 17–19; A 19–20; P1 15–16; P2 8; LGR 54–96; V 41–43. Body very deep, almost oval, strongly compressed (40–50% SL in specimens > 10 cm SL); belly keeled with scutes (ca. 28). Mouth inferior; upper jaw with a distinct median notch. Opercle smooth, without bony striae. Longest lower gill rakers shorter than corresponding gill filaments. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin without fleshy outgrowths. Last dorsal-fin ray not filamentous. Scales cycloid with denticulation along posterior margin; a median Anodontostoma chacunda, 10.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) series of predorsal scales present. Color: body silvery, darker dorsally; occiput to nape yellowish or gold. a large black spot behind gill opening Size: maximum ca. 18 cm Remarks: found in inshore waters SL. Distribution: widely distrib- and estuaries, feeds on zoo- and uted in Indo-West Pacific from the phytoplanktons. Marketed fresh, Persian Gulf to New Caledonia. dried, or dried-salted. (S. Kimura) 18

Escualosa thoracata (Valenciennes, 1847) White Sardine / Tamban Putih D 16; A 18–19; P1 12–13; P2 7; LGR 27–40. Body somewhat deep (27–37% SL), compressed; belly strongly keeled with 17–19 (mostly 18) prepelvic and 10–12 (mostly 11) postpelvic scutes (28–30, mostly 29, in total). Upper jaw rounded, without distinct median notch or cleft; Escualosa thoracata, 7.2 cm SL 2 supramaxillae present. Opercle smooth, without bony radiating (from Selagor, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) striae. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin without fleshy outgrowths. Color: body semi-translucent with broad silvery midlateral stripe; inner edges of caudal fin broadly darkish. Size: maximum ca. 10 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific from the Persian Gulf to northeastern Aus- tralia, north to Vietnam and Philip- pines. Remarks: found in coastal, inshore waters. (S. Kimura) Escualosa thoracata, 7.0 cm SL Herklotsichthys dispilonotus (from Nha Trang, Vietnam; photo by S. Kimura) (Bleeker, 1852) Blacksaddle Herring Tamban Atas Hitam D 19–20; A 18–20; P1 17–19; P2 8; LGR 28–38. Body deep (depth ca. 30–35% SL); belly strongly keeled with 14–15 prepelvic and 11–13 postpelvic scutes (26–28 in total). Upper jaw curved with 2 supramaxillae; 2nd (posterior) supramaxilla vertically asymmetrical, lower part larger than upper. A few (5–7) frontoparietal striae on top of head. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin with 2 outgrowths. Scales cycloid with continuous vertical striae across center of scale. Color: Herklotsichthys dispilonotus, 7.1 cm SL (photo by S. Tashiro) dark green dorsally, silvery ventrally; 2 prominent dark botches on dorsum, the anterior at posterior part of dorsal-fin base. Size: commonly to 7 cm, maximum 8.5 cm SL. Distribution: western Pacific from Vietnam, Thailand, Malay- sia, Indonesia and Philippines. Remarks: found in coastal waters, frequently entering into brackish waters. Marketed fresh or dried- salted. (S. Kimura)

Herklotsichthys dispilonotus, 6.9 cm SL (from Nha Trang, Vietnam; photo by S. Kimura) 19

Hilsa kelee (Cuvier, 1829) Kelee Shad / Tamban Tiram

D 18; A 20–22; P2 8; LGR 100–175. Body very deep and strongly compressed; abdomen with sharply- keeled 15–17 prepelvic and 12–14 postpelvic scutes, 27–31 (usually 28–30) in total number. Mouth terminal; upper jaw with a distinct median notch. Opercle smooth, without bony striae. Gill rakers fine and numerous, those on inner arches curled outward; shoulder girdle Hilsa kelee, 15.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) (cleithrum) margin without fleshy outgrowths. Frontoparietal striae (on top of head) numerous, 8–14. Last dorsal-fin ray not filamentous. Scales cycloid with denticulation along posterior margin; vertical striae overlapping at center of scale present. Color: body silvery, blue- green dorsally; occiput to nape yellowish or gold; a black spot behind gill opening. Size: commonly 15–18 cm, maximum 25 cm SL. Distribu- tion: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in inshore waters and estuar- Hilsa kelee, 14.8cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) ies, feeds on zoo- and phytoplanktons. Marketed fresh, dried, or dried-salted. (M. Matsunuma)

Sardinella albella (Valenciennes, 1847) White Sardinella Tamban Sisik Putih

D 17–19; A 18–19; P1 14–15; P2 8; LGR 41–68. Body somewhat compressed, but variable from slender to moderately deep (body depth 25 to 40% SL); abdomen keeled with prepelvic and postpelvic scutes (total number of scutes 29 to 33); 2nd Sardinella albella, 10.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) supramaxilla symmetrical and pad- dle-shaped; opercle smooth without radiating bony striae; posterior border of gill opening with 2 fleshy outgrowths; anal fin short with 2 posteriormost rays enlarged. Scales cycloid; vertical striae discontinu- ous, not meeting at center; posteri- or part with a few perforations and somewhat produced posteriorly; longitudinal scale rows about 40. Color: blue-green dorsally, silvery ventrally; a dark spot at dorsal-fin origin; tips of dorsal and caudal fins blackish. Size: commonly to 10 cm, maximum 14 cm SL. Distribu- Sardinella albella, 10.0 cm SL tion: widely distributed in Indo- (from Ambon, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) West Pacific from Red Sea and East African coasts to Papua New Remarks: found in reef-associated Guinea and northern Australia. coastal waters. (T. Yoshino) 20

CHANIDAE Milkfish This family represented by a single species; see the following species account. mouth terminal Similar families occurring in no teeth on jaws the area: Megalopidae–a bony gular plate present between arms of lower jaw; last dorsal-fin ray lateral line present filamentous; scales large, 30–40 in lateral line. Elopidae–mouth much larger; a bony gular plate present between arms of lower jaw. 4 branchiostegal rays Mugilidae–2 dorsal fins; pectoral fins set high on body; no lateral line. Clupeidae–size much smaller; scutes usually present along belly. in 2 parts, lower part with long usually 6 or 7 branchiostegal rays Polynemidae–mouth large, subter- unattached rays. (only 4 in Chanos); no lateral line; minal; 2 dorsal fins; pectoral fins (M. Matsunuma)

Chanos chanos (Forsskål, 1775) Milkfish Bandang (Ikan Susu) D 13–17; A 9–11; P2 9–11; LL 75–91; GR 147–160 + 107–165. Body elongate, moderately compressed; no scutes along velly. Eye covered by adipose tissue. Mouth small, terminal, without teeth; lower jaw with small tubercle at tip, fitting into a notch in upper jaw; no bony gular plate between arms of lower Chanos chanos, 26.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) jaw. Branchiostegal rays 4. Dorsal fin situated on about midpoint of body; anal fin short, close to caudal fin; caudal fin large and deeply forked, with scale flaps at base in adults; pectoral and pelvic fins with axillary scales. Scales small and smooth. Color: silver laterally and ventrally, olive-green or blue dorsally; dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with dark margin. Size: commonly 70–100 cm SL, maximum 1.5 m SL. Distribution: widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Indo- Pacific. Remarks: occurring marine Chanos chanos, 18.3 cm SL and brackish. Important food fish; (from Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) marketed fresh, dried, canned, and smoked. (M. Matsunuma) 21

PLOTOSIDAE Eeltail Catfishes (Eel Catfishes) Medium-sized catfishes mostly less than 40 cm (some exceeding dorsal fin 100 cm) with elongate, taper- 4 pairs of barbels dorsal procurrent caudal fin ing body posteriorly. Head and body slimy without scales or caudal fin bony plates; lateral line complete. no scales Mouth terminal or somewhat inferior with 4 pairs of barbels; 1 pair (nasal barbels) between widely separated anterior and posterior anal fin nostrils, 1 pair at corner of mouth, and 2 pairs on lower jaw. Dorsal Indo-Pacific; freshwater species and anal fins. Ariidae–caudal fin and pectoral fins with a pungent, restricted to Australia and New forked; adipose fin present; anal serrated and venomous spine at Guinea. Venomous, but marketed fin short and not confluent with anterior edge; dorsal procurrent fresh and locally important food caudal fin; nasal barbel absent. caudal fin (DPC, often mistaken as fishes taken by beach seine and Other freshwater catfish families 2nd dorsal fin) and anal fin long, trawl nets. Similar families occur- (Siluridae, Clariidae and Hetero- both confluent with caudal fin; ad- ring in the area. Plotosidae differ- pneustidae)–dorsal and pectoral ipose fin absent. Dendritic organ ent from all other catfish families fins with no pungent serrated present between anus and anal fin. in having a dendritic organ (marine spine at anterior edge; anal fin not Remarks. Marine and freshwa- species), and caudal fin confluent confluent with caudal fin. ter fishes widely distributed in with dorsal procurrent caudal, (T. Yoshino)

Paraplotosus albilabris (Valenciennes, 1840) White-lipped Catfish Semilang

D I, 4; DPC 93–111; A 8–11; P1 I, 11– 14; P2 12–14; GR 5–7 + 16–19. Body relatively elongated with tapering caudal fin, its depth 11–15% SL. Tubular anterior nostrils on lower Paraplotosus albilabris, 22.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) side of upper lip, opening directed downward. Nasal barbel relatively long, extending beyond eye but not reaching posterior margin of opercular when depressed. Gill membranes broadly attached across isthmus. Dorsal fin short, its length sorter or sub-equal to pectoral-fin length. Origin of dorsal procurrent caudal fin anterior to vertical line through pelvic-fin origin. Color: Plotosus lineatus, 16.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) head and body uniformly dark brown to blackish; belly and ventral portion of head lighter; lips yel- somewhat elongate, body depth commonly to 20 cm, maximum 30 lowish or tan. Size: commonly 40 more than 15% SL; anterior nostril cm SL. Distribution: widely dis- cm or less, maximum about 130 cm. situated dorsal to upper lip, open- tributed in Indo-West Pacific from Distribution: Malay Archipelago ing directed anteriorly; gill mem- Red Sea and East African coasts and Australia with northernmost branes narrowly attached across eastward to Palau, Yap, Tonga, and records from Philippines. Remarks: isthmus; nasal and maxillary bar- Samoa. Remarks: found in coastal found in reefs and open coastal bels short, reaching to or slightly waters, often entering estuaries. Ju- areas. Spines of dorsal and pectoral beyond posterior margin of eye; veniles forming dense ball-shaped fins venomous. (M. Matsunuma) origin of dorsal procurrent caudal schools, adults solitary or occurring fin inserting vertical above pelvic- in small schools. Each serrate spine Plotosus lineatus fin base. Color: head and body of dorsal and pectoral fins venom- (Thunberg, 1787) brown, becoming cream or white ous and highly dangerous. Locally Striped Eel Catfish / Usat ventrally; 2 to 3 narrow pale yellow edible food fish marketed fresh, D I, 4; DPC 95–111; A 68–80; P1 I, longitudinal stripes on body, of caught with beach seines, trawl, 10–12; P2 10–13; LGR 20–23. Body which 2 extending onto head. Size: and set nets. (T. Yoshino) 22

ARIIDAE Sea Catfishes

Medium to large sized marine dorsal-fin spine and freshwater catfishes; maxi- usually serrated mum size about 1.8 m. Body elongated, robust; head depressed but adipose fin just above anal fin tail compressed. Bony shield dorsally on head usually visible, with a dorsomedian grove, extending posteriorly to nuchal bone. Snout no scales pointed or rounded anterior and posterior nostrils close together; mouth terminal or inferior. Jaw caudal fin deeply teeth small, arranged into narrow short anal-fin base forked or broad bands; palatal teeth on 1–3 pairs of barbels small or large patches. One, two, or three pairs of barbels pres- just above anal fin. Body naked; the area. Ariidae is distinguished ent around the mouth; no nasal lateral line well developed. Color: from other Indo-Pacific catfish barbels. Gill membranes joined body dark, brownish dorsally, sil- families in having a long, usually together and attached isthmus very ventrally; adipose fin with a serrated dorsal-fin spine, deeply anteriorly. Branchiostegal rays 5 black spot in some species. forked caudal fin, short-based anal to 7. Dorsal fin with a long, ro- Remarks. Occurring in tropical fin, adipose fin just above anal fin, bust, usually serrated spine fol- to temperate marine, estuarine, naked body, and no nasal barbels. lowed by 7 branched rays; a very and freshwater areas of the world, Plotosidae–caudal fin conflu- small spinelet or buckler present usually found in coastal and es- ent with long-based anal fin; no prior to dorsal spine; anal fin with tuarine habitats, abundant in man- adipose fin; nasal barbels present. 14–36 soft rays; caudal fin deeply grove areas and large river estuar- Bagridae (freshwater)–nasal bar- forked with 15 (7 + 8) principal ies. Omnivorous, usually feed on bels present. Siluridae and Clari- rays; pectoral fins low on the sides crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes. idae (both freshwater)–nasal bar- of body with a usually long and Males incubating the fertilized bels present; no dorsal-fin spine; serrated spine and 7–13 branched eggs in his mouth cavity. Food long-based anal fin. Pangasidae rays; pelvic fins abdominal with 6 fish. (freshwater)–long-based anal fin. branched rays; adipose fin present Similar families occurring in (S. Kimura)

Arius oetik Bleeker, 1846 Lowly Catfish / Duri Utik D I, 6–7; A 15–19; P1 I, 10–11; P2 6; GR 4–6 + 9–12. Body elongated, compressed. Head depressed; head shield smooth anteriorly, somewhat granulated posteriorly; dorsomedian groove short, not reaching anteriorly to level of posterior margin of eye. Snout prominent. Palatal teeth short, conical, tips blunt or sharp, on a single pair of Arius oetik, 14.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) small triangular patches, located just posterior to upper oral valve. Inner gill rakes present on all gill arches. Lateral line bifurcates behind caudal-fin base. Color: body silvery; brownish dorsally; all fins somewhat dusky; adipose fin pale without dark marking. Size: maximum length 23 cm SL. Distribu- tion: Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thai- land through Malay Peninsula and Sumatra to Java and Kalimantan. Remarks: inhabits coastal waters and estuaries. (S. Kimura) Arius oetik, 13.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 23

Arius venosus Valenciennes, 1840 Veined Catfish / Duri Vena D I, 6–7; A 16–19; P1 I, 10–13; P2 6; GR 4–7 + 9–12. Body elongated, compressed. Head depressed; head shield smooth, slightly granulated; dorsomedian groove moderate, reaching anteriorly to level of posterior half of eye. Snout somewhat rounded. Palatal teeth short, conical, tips sharp, on a single pair of triangular patches, located just posterior to upper oral valve. In- Arius venosus, 18.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) ner gill rakes present on all gill arches. Lateral line bifurcates behind caudal-fin base. Color: body silvery; brownish dorsally; all fins somewhat dusky; adipose fin pale with dark margin. Size: maximum length about 25 cm SL. Distribu- tion: Andaman Sea, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Phil- ippines, Kalimantan, and Sumatra. Remarks: inhabits coastal waters and estuaries. (S. Kimura)

Hexanematichthys sagor (Hamilton, 1822) Hexanematichthys sagor, 14.1 cm SL Sagor Sea Catfish / Belukang (from Songkhla, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) D I, 7; A 16–19; P1 I, 11; P2 6; GR 12–18; V 53–55. Body elongated, compressed; head broad, depressed; head shield striated; supraoccipital hemispherical in adults, its apex convex; dorsomedian head groove short; palatal teeth conical, tips sharp, on 2 pairs of patches; inner patches smaller than outer; barbells flattened, strap- like; inner gill rakers absent on the anterior 2 gill arches; pectoral-fin spine longer than dorsal-fin spine. Color: body silvery, blue-brownish dorsally; several golden green ver- Netuma bilineata, 11.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) tical stripes on body; adipose fin pale. Size: maximum length 45 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from Pakistan to Borneo and Java. Remarks: inhabits coastal waters and estuaries. (S. Kimura) truncate. Palatal teeth minute with fin with a black marking. Size: pointed tip on 3 pairs of patches, maximum length ca. 60 cm SL. Dis- Netuma bilineata located just posterior to upper oral tribution: widely distributed in In- (Valenciennes, 1840) valve; inner patches on both sides do-West Pacific, from Persian Gulf Roundsnout Sea Catfish fused together; 3 patches forming to east coast of Australia, north to Duri Gangsa a large triangle. Inner gill rakes Philippines. Remarks: similar to D I, 6–8; A 17–20; P1 I, 9–12; P2 6; GR absent on the anterior 2 gill arches. Netuma thalassina, but distinguish- 4–6 + 8–10 = 13–15. Body elongated, Caudal-fin lobes somewhat long, able by having rounded snout, compressed. Head depressed; head slender; adipose fin small. Lateral 17–20 anal-fin rays and fused in- shield rugose, granular, coarser line bifurcates behind caudal-fin ner palatal tooth patches. Inhabits posteriorly; dorsomedian head base. Color: body silvery; brownish coastal waters and estuaries. Feeds groove shallow, “V”-shaped pos- dorsally; dorsal and pectoral fins on crustaceans, squids, and fishes. teriorly. Snout rounded or slightly blackish, other fins dusky; adipose Marketed fresh. (S. Kimura) 24

Netuma thalassinus (Rüppell, 1837) Giant Sea Catfish / Duri Jahan D I, 7; A 14–18; P1 I, 11–13; P2 6; GR 4–5 + 8–10. Body elongated, compressed. Head depressed; head shield almost smooth, finely granulated; dorsomedian groove shallow, short, not reaching anteriorly to level of posterior end of eye. Snout rounded or angular. Palatal teeth minute, tips sharp, Netuma thalassinus, 12.6 cm SL on 3 pairs of patches, located just (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) posterior to upper oral valve; inner patches on both sides separated, not fused together; 3 patches forming a large triangle. Inner gill rakes absent on the anterior 2 gill arches. Caudal-fin lobes somewhat long, slender; adipose fin small. Lateral line bifurcates behind caudal-fin base. Color: body silvery; brownish dorsally; dorsal and pectoral fins blackish, other fins dusky; adipose fin with a black marking. Size: maximum length 1.3 m SL. Netuma thalassinus, 19.3 cm SL Distribution: widely distributed in (from Bintan Island, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to east coast of Australia, north to Philippines and southern China. Remarks: inhabits coastal waters. Feeds on crustaceans, squids, and fishes. Marketed fresh. (S. Kimura)

Plicofollis argyropleuron (Valenciennes, 1840) Longsnouted Catfish / Duri D I, 6; A 14–21; P1 I, 10–12; GR 10–16; V 48–51. Body elongated, compressed posteriorly. Head depressed, elongated; head shield striate or sharply granular; supra- Plicofollis argyropleuron, 16.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) occipital process narrow, keeled. Snout truncate. Mouth small, subterminal or somewhat inferior. Granular teeth in 2 patches on each side of palate, longitudinally arranged, posterior patches oblong- ovate, parallel or with long axes slightly converging distally. Three pairs of barbels. No gill rakers on hind aspect of 1st 2 gill arches. Color: body metallic dark gray above, silvery white below. Size: maximum length 50 cm FL. Distri- bution: from east coast of India to eastern Australia, Thailand, and In- Plicofollis argyropleuron, 22.0 cm SL donesia. Remarks: inhabits coastal (from Port Dickson, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) areas and estuaries. (S. Kimura) 25

SYNODONTIDAE Lizardfishes Small to medium-sized marine fishes; maximum size about 70 cm, 9–18 dorsal-fin rays commonly 20–40 cm. Body slender, cylindrical, and moderately mouth large adipose fin present elongated. Mouth large; hind tip of upper jaw extending well beyond hind margin of eye; a single supramaxilla small or absent; numerous needle-like teeth on jaws numerous needle- 7–18 anal-fin rays and palatines; branchiostegal rays like teeth on jaws and 12–18. No spinous fin rays; dor- palatines sal fin located about the center of body, 9–15 rays; anal fin posterior to dorsal fin base, 8–17 rays; caudal fin forked, 19 principal rays; areas, usually found on rocky, rays, and adipose fin. Aulopidae–2 pelvic fins close together, 8–9 rays; coral, sandy, or muddy bottoms supramaxillae present; hind tip of adipose fin present above anal in shallow waters. Feed on small upper jaw not or slightly extend- fin. Cycloid scales present at least fishes and crustaceans. ing beyond hind margin of eye. on the posterior half of body and Similar families occurring in Bathysauridae–head depressed along lateral line. Color: body usu- the area. Synodontidae is distin- conspicuously; branchiostegal rays ally brown or reddish with vari- guished from the following similar 8–13; adipose fin present or absent; able markings. Peritoneum either families in having a cylindrical or pelvic-fin rays 8. Chlorophthamli- pale with several black spots, or somewhat compressed head with dae–a single elongate supramaxilla black. a large mouth (hind tip extending present; hind tip of upper jaw not Remarks. Occurring in tropical beyond eye), 0–1 supramaxilla, 12– extending beyond center of eye. to temperate marine and estuarine 18 branchiostegals, 9–15 dorsal-fin (S. Kimura)

Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) Greater Lizardfish / Conor D 11–13; A 10–12; P1 14–15; P2 9; LL 50–56; PDS 16–19. Body subcylindrical, elongate. Head and caudal peduncle somewhat depressed; mouth large; numerous small teeth exposed on side of jaws when Saurida tumbil, 16.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) mouth closed; palatine teeth arranged in 2 bands on each side of roof of mouth; palatine teeth on the outer bands in 3 or 4 rows ateriorly. Outermost ray of pelvic fin subequal to innermost ray. Pectoral fin short, its posterior tip not or only just reaching to insertion of pelvic fin. Color: body light brown dorsally, silvery white ventrally; pectoral fins and lower lobe of caudal fin dusky; adipose fin with a black marking. Size: maximum length 60 cm FL. Distribution: widely distributed in the Indo-West Pa- cific from east coast of Africa, Red Sea to eastern Australia. Remarks: Saurida tumbil, 14.9 cm SL found in shallow coastal sandy or (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) muddy bottoms. Feeds on fishes, crustaceans, and squids. Marketed fresh. (S. Kimura) 26

BATRACHOIDIDAE Toadfishes Small to medium-sized fishes. Head broad in dorsal view and depressed, often with barbels II or III dorsal-fin spines 15–25 dorsal-fin rays and fleshy tentacles around jaws. Mouth large, terminal, and slightly gill opening protrusible. Opercle and suboper- small cle with spines. Glandular tissue present in opercle and pectoral-fin axil. Gill opening small, restricted to sides of body. Dorsal fin with II or III spines and 15–25 soft rays; 12–28 anal-fin rays soft rays longer than anal-fin soft rays. Anal fin with 12–28 soft rays. 1–3 plevic-fin rays Pelvic fin with I spine and 1–3 soft rays. Caudal fin rounded. Pec- often with spots, saddles, bars or the area. Uranoscopidae–gill open- toral fin large, broad-based, and other markings. ing wide, free from isthmus. Pelvic rounded. Body with scales or na- Remarks. Occurs from littoral fins with I spine and 5 soft rays. ked; lateral line single or multiple. areas to deep waters, often in estu- Lophiidae–1st dorsal-fin spine Color: body color variable; usually aries; in sediment or in crevices. modified into an angling appara- brownish dorsally and posteriorly, Similar families occurring in tus. (H. Motomura)

Batrachomoeus trispinosus (Günther, 1861) Three-spined Frogfish Gedepu Katak D III, 21–24; A 17–20; P1 21–23. Body elongate, slightly compressed posteriorly. Head large (length 0.9–1.0 in length of anal-fin base), broad and depressed. Strong conical teeth on mandible and palate, mostly in 1 series. Pore present in inner side of upper portion of pectoral-fin base (axil). Gill slit Batrachomoeus trispinosus, 11.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) covering more than four fifths of pectoral-fin base. Color: body including head pale brown with irregular dark brown blotches and transverse bars on body. Pectoral, pelvic and caudal fins with series of dark transverse bars with yellowish orange between bars. Size: attains at least about 26 cm SL. Distribution: known from marine and estuarine areas from northern Australia, New Guinea and The Indo-Australian Archipelago to the Gulf of Thailand. Remarks: usually found in shallow coastal areas including estuaries. Batrachomoeus trispinosus, 17.2 cm SL (P. Musikasinthorn) (from Gulf of Thailand; photo by M. Matsunuma) 27

HEMIRAMPHIDAE Halfbeaks Small to medium sized (up to 45 cm) elongate fishes with long, javelin-like lower jaw, project- upper jaw short ing far beyond upper jaw. Body large scales elongate and compressed; lateral pectoral fins short line running along ventral margin lower jaw extremely of body with a branch to origin long of pectoral fin. Lower jaw usually long and javelin-like, whereas upper jaw short and triangular; eyes emarginated or deeply forked. floating seagrass pieces, insects, large; several rows of small teeth Scales moderately large, cycloid. crustaceans, and small fishes. on jaws; gill rakers 0–78. Dorsal Color: head and body silvery, Large species commonly esteemed and anal fins positioned at poste- darkened dorsally; tip of lower as food fish, caught by seine and rior part of body; dorsal fin with jaw tinged with red or orange in gill nets; some freshwater species 8–25 soft rays; anal fin with 8–19 many species; fins hyaline, often often treated as aquarium fish. soft rays; no isolated finlets be- with blackish markings. Similar families occurring in hind dorsal and anal fins; pectoral Remarks. Surface swimming the area. Belonidae–usually both fin usually short, with 7–14 soft fishes, chiefly found in marine and jaws elongate; scale small. Exocoe- rays; pelvic fins abdominal, with 6 brackish waters, whereas some in tidae–pectoral fin very large; jaws rays; caudal fin rounded, truncate, freshwaters. Omnivorous, feed on short. (K. Shibukawa)

Zenarchopterus dunckeri Mohr, 1926 Duncker’s River Garfish Julong Julong

D 10–12; A 10–13; P1 10; V 37–42. Body elongate, subcyrindrical. Lower jaw much prolonged, jave- Zenarchopterus dunckeri, 9.5 cm SL, female (photo by S. Kimura) lin-like; upper jaw wider than long; nasal papilla elongate and pointed. Base of dorsal fin longer than anal- fin base; 6th anal ray of males greatly thickened and elongated, reaching beyond caudal base; 4th and/or 5th dorsal ray(s) elongated; caudal fin rounded. Color: right brown dorsally, becoming silvery white ventrally; no longitudinal Zenarchopterus dunckeri, 7.7 cm SL, male black line on dorsal midline of up- (from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) per jaw. Size: 12.5 cm SL. Distribu- tion: Andaman Sea and West Pa- cific. Remarks: found in estuaries, especially mangrove area. Surface swimming fish, feeds on small ter- restrial insects. (K. Shibukawa)

Zenarchopterus dunckeri, 8.7 cm SL, male (from Iriomote Island, Japan; photo by S. Kimura) 28

SYNGNATHIDAE Pipefishes (Seahorses) Usually small fishes, 4–50 cm TL. Body slender and elongate, without scales, encased in a series of bony rings. Head either along 1 dorsal fin with 15–60 soft rays caudal fin present tube-like snout same axis as rest of body (sub- or absent family Syngnathinae) or bent in ventral direction from main body pelvic fins small anal fin axis (subfamily Hippocampinae). absent Snout long and tubular; mouth small, toothless, located at tip of snout. Gill openings reduced to a green, brown, or black ground body compressed, elongate, and pore in the opercular membrane. color with various patterns; coral- scaly; distinct separate dorsal-fin Branchiostegal rays 1–3. Dorsal fin reef species sometimes colorful spines, followed by a normal 2nd single, without spine, usually with with white, yellow, orange, blue, dorsal fin; caudal fin well devel- 15–60 soft rays; anal fin very small, red, and black stripes and bands. oped; lateral line present. Fistulari- with 2–6 soft rays; caudal fin, if Remarks. Usually limited to idae–larger; body depressed rather present, with 8–10 rays; pectoral shallow water at depth of 1 to more than compressed; elongate, and fins usually with 10–23 rays; pelvic than 100 m. Feed on minute ben- naked, or with minute prickles fins absent. Adults of some species thic and planktonic fauna, prefer- and linear row of scutes; caudal fin may lack dorsal, anal, and pectoral ably microcrustaceans, by sucking forked with a distinct elongate fila- fins. Caudal peduncle may be pre- into a tubular snout. Males have a ment. Solenostomidae–body short, hensile. Lateral line absent. Color: brood pouch in which the eggs are compressed, with large stellate variable with the species, generally laid and where they are fertilized bony plates; 2 separate dorsal fins, adapted to preferred habitat; spe- and incubated. pelvic fins relatively large, modi- cies living on seagrass, sand, and Similar families occurring in fied into brood pouch in females. coral rubble usually have grey, the area. Aulostomidae–larger; (U. Satapoomin)

Hippocampus kelloggi Jordan and Snyder, 1901 Great Seahorse / Kuda Laut D 17–19 (usually 18); P1 17–19; A 4. Caudal fin absent; pectoral and anal fins present. Trunk rings 11, tail rings 39–41; coronet moderately high with 5 short spines; snout expanded; trunk long, spines on ridge of rings not well developed; dermal flap and prominent tubercle absent. Color: usually brownish to black, sometimes cream or yellowish (in juveniles and female); no black spots on dorsolateral side of trunk. Size: maximum height about 28 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea to southern Japan. Remarks: found on soft bottom to coastal rocky reef in depth of 8–40 m. (M. Nakae)

Hippocampus kelloggi, 35.0 cm (from Kagoshima, Japan; photo by H. Motomura) 29

TETRAROGIDAE Waspfishes Small to medium-sized fishes. Body usually strongly compressed; dorsal fin origin body naked or with cycloid scales usually above eye head moderate to large; eyes and mouth small to large. Numerous conical or villiform teeth on jaws. Ventralmost pectoral-fin rays not detached or separated. Lacrimal bone highly mobile. Skinny sensory canal between pterotic and preopercle absent. Suborbital stay usually not forming wide connection to preopercle. Anterior dorsal proximal pterygiophores sutured to neurocranium and supracarinalis anterior absent. from inshore shallow waters to Similar families occurring in Color: highly variable, from deep waters; 1 species lives in the area. Aploactinidae–fin rays blackish to reddish, usually freshwater rivers. Dorsal-, anal-, usually unbranched. Body covered with spots or blotches; barred or and pelvic-fin spines venomous with modified, prickly scales. mottled color patterns in most in most species. This family was Synanceiidae–skin at gill opening species. formerly included in the family broadly connected to isthmus. Remarks. Found on bottom Scorpaenidae. (H. Motomura)

Vespicula trachinoides (Cuvier, 1829) Goblinfish / Depu Batu D XIII–XVI, 3–5; A III, 3–4. Body oblong, compressed. Head profile pointed. Lacrimal with 2 spines. Anterior 3 spines forming a nearly separate fin; dorsal-fin origin well behind eye. Eye small, orbit diameter 6–9% SL. Caudal fin rounded. Color: body mottled with black and greenish yellow blotches. Caudal fin translucent with an indistinct vertical dark band. Soft-rayed portions of dorsal and anal fins with a broad black band. Size: maximum standard length 5.8 cm. Distribu- tion: distributed in the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans, from Myanmar to China and Indo- nesia. Remarks: found on sandy and broken shell bottoms. (H. Motomura)

Vespicula trachinoides, 4.6 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) 30

SYNANCEIIDAE Stonefishes Small to large-sized fishes. Body shape variable; head moderate to dorsal-, anal-, and pelvic-fin large; eyes and mouth small to spines usually venomous large. Skin at gill openings broadly head and body connected to isthmus. Suborbital apparently naked stay becoming wider posteriorly. Lower pectoral-fin rays free in some species. Head and body, except for lateral line, without exposed scales. Color: highly variable, from blackish to reddish, pectoral fin base usually with spots or blotches; usually long barred or mottled color patterns in most species. Inside of pectoral fin with various color markings. Remarks. Found on bottom from inshore shallow waters to relatively deep waters. Dorsal-, Similar families occurring in isthmus. Aploactinidae–body cov- anal-, and pelvic-fin spines highly the area. Scorpaenidae–skin at gill ered with modified, prickly scales. venomous in most species. opening not broadly connected to (H. Motomura)

Trachicephalus uranoscopus (Bloch, 1801) Stargazing Stonefish / Depu D XI–XIII, 12–14; A II, 12–15; P1 14–15; P2 I, 5; GR 2–3 + 5. Body elongate; mouth strongly upturned; eyes on dorsal surface of depressed head. Skin at gill openings broadly connected to isthmus. Head spines poorly developed; lacrimal with 2 or 3 short spines; preopercle with 4 blunt spines. Lower pectoral-fin rays not free from upper rays. All soft rays of fins unbranched. Teeth on jaws and vomer, but none on palatines. Lateral line present, but indistinct. Color: head, trunk and fins grayish to blackish, with poorly defined whitish spots or blotches scattered on lateral surface of body, pectoral and caudal fins, and base of anal fin. Distal margins of soft- Trachicephalus uranoscopus, 7.3 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) rayed portions of dorsal and anal fins yellowish white; posterior margin of caudal fin white. Size: maximum length 8 cm SL. Distribution: distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from India to southern China and northern Australia. Remarks: occurs in shallow inshore waters over mud bottoms, sometimes in estuaries. (H. Motomura) 31

PLATYCEPHALIDAE Flatheads Small to large marine fishes, usually IX spines usually ranging from 7 to 50 cm, a 1st dorsal-fin few attaining to 70 cm or greater. spine short 10–15 soft rays Body elongate. Head moderately head depressed or strongly depressed, usually armed by many spines and ridges. Eye small to relatively large. Snout prominent. Mouth large, lower lower jaw longer jaw longer than upper. Teeth pres- 10–15 soft rays ent on upper and lower jaws, vomer and palatine. Gill rakers few, than 100 scales. Upper surface of pichthyidae–head and body ex- relatively short or mere stubs. Gill body covered by ctenoid scales tremely depressed and lateral line membrane free from isthmus. Two and lower by cycloid. Color: usu- with bony plates. Percophidae– dorsal fins well separated; 1st dor- ally dark above and pale below; head without distinct spines and sal fin with VI–X spines, 1st short, the dark colors with various ridges. isolated or scarcely connected to shades of brown, gray or black. Remarks. Platycephalids known 2nd; 2nd dorsal fin with 10–15 soft Similar family occurring in the from less than 300 m, most found rays. Anal fin with 10–15 soft rays; area. Plectrogeniidae and Bemb- at less than 100 m and inhabiting no spines present. Pelvic fin with ridae–lower jaw shorter than or on the mud, sand, rocky shore and I spine and 5 soft rays. Lateral line equal to upper jaw. Parabembri- coral reef. Many species excellent complete, with about 30 to more dae–anal fin with III spines. Hol- for eating. (H. Imamura)

Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus (Günther, 1860) Fringe-eyed Flathead Baji Baji D I + VIII + 11; A 11; P1 19–21; P2 I, 5; LLp 51–55. Body elongate. Head moderately depressed. Suborbital ridge with 1 spine below poste- Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus, 34.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) rior margin of eye. Eye large, with many ocular flaps. Iris lappet cir- rose. Deep pit present posterior to eye. Teeth on vomer in 2 separate patches. Large interopercular flap present. Cheek region lacking skinny sensory tubes. Lateral-line scales with single opening to exterior. Color: body and head dark gray- green above, whitish below, with Grammoplites knappi, 14.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 7–8 charcoal bands crossing dorsal surface; anal fin cream basally, out- Grammoplites knappi Lateral-line scales with spine and er half dark brown; other fins varie- Imamura and Amaoka, 1994 single opening to exterior. Color: gated in brown and green, marbled Smallspined Flathead body and head brownish above, with yellow. Size: maximum total Baji Johor whitish below, with about 4 dark length about 58 cm, commonly 30 D I + VII–VIII + 0–I + 11–12 (usu- bands crossing dorsal surface; 1st cm. Distribution: Australia, Papua ally 12); A 12; P1 20–22; P2 I, 5; LLp dorsal and pelvic fins dusky; 2nd New Guinea, Indonesia Philip- 51–54. Body elongate. Head mod- dorsal fin with small dark spots; pines, Singapore and Johor Shoals. erately depressed. Suborbital ridge pectoral fin with dark spots form- Remarks: inhabits most commonly usually with 4 or more spines. Eye ing several vertical bands; caudal at depths of less than 5 m. rather large, without ocular flaps. fin often with 2 dark bands posteri- (H. Imamura) Iris lappet simple and broad. In- orly. Size: maximum length about terorbit rather narrow. Teeth on 30 cm, commonly to 25 cm. Distri- vomer in 2 separate patches. In- bution: South China Sea and Johor teropercular flap absent. Cheek re- Shoals. Remarks: taken by trawls gion lacking skinny sensory tubes. to about 32 m depth. (H. Imamura) 32

Grammoplites scaber (Linnaeus, 1758) Rough Flathead / Baji Kasar D I-VIII or I-VII-I + 11–13 (usually

12); A 11–12 (usually 12); P1 19–22; P2 I, 5; LLp 51–55. Body elongate. Head moderately depressed. Sub- orbital ridge with 4–5 spines. Eye rather small, without ocular flaps. Iris lappet simple and broad. Inter- orbit rather broad. Teeth on vomer Grammoplites scaber, 17.8 cm SL in 2 separate patches. Interopercu- (from Terengganu, Malaysia; photo by M. Matsunuma) lar flap absent. Cheek region lacking skinny sensory tubes. Lateral- line scales with spine and single opening to exterior. Color: body and head brownish above, whitish below, with about 6 dark bands crossing dorsal surface in some, obscure or absent in others; 1st dorsal and pelvic fins dusky; 2nd dorsal fin with small dark spots; anal fin white or with a submarginal row of dark spots; caudal fin dusky, Inegocia japonica, 11.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) some with a row of dark spots along upper edge; pectoral fin spotted on upper half, dusky on lower. Size: maximum length about 30 cm, commonly to 20 cm. Distribu- tion: Indo-West Pacific, including southern Arabian Sea, Bay of Ben- gal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Gulf of Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and southern Philippines. Remarks: taken by trawls over mud and sand in about 55 m depth. (H. Imamura) Inegocia japonica, 15.8 cm SL (from Mie, Japan; photo by S. Kimura) Inegocia japonica (Cuvier, 1829) Japanese Flathead / Baji Jepun D I-VIII or IX + 11–13; A 11–13; P1 19–21; P2 I, 5; LLp 51–55. Body elongate. Head moderately depressed. Suborbital ridge with 2 spines. Eye without ocular flaps. Iris lappet cir- rose. Teeth on vomer in 2 separate patches. Finger-like interopercular flap present. Cheek region lacking Inegocia japonica, 13.8 cm SL skinny sensory tubes. Lateral-line (from Songkhla, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) scales with 2 openings to exterior. Color: body and head grayish or brown above, whitish below, with maximum length about 25 cm. Dis- 6 obscure dark bands crossing tribution: widespread in Indo-West dorsal surface; 1st and 2nd dorsal, Pacific, ranging from Sri Lanka to pectoral, pelvic and caudal fins northern Australia and to southern with dark spots; anal fin dusky Japan. Remarks: occurring in mud- posteriorly in smaller specimens or dy or sandy bottom to depths of 85 entirely in larger specimens. Size: m. (H. Imamura) 33

Platycephalus cultellatus Richardson, 1846 Baji Tirus D I-I-VII–VIII-0–I + 12–14 (usually

13); A 13; P1 17–21; P2 I, 5; LLp 66– 75. Body elongate. Head strongly depressed. Spines on dorsal surface of head obscure. Preopercle with 2 spines. Eye without ocular flaps. Platycephalus cultellatus, 15.8 cm SL (photo by S. Tashiro) Iris lappet simple elongated lobe. Teeth on vomer in single band. Fin- ger-like interopercular flap present. Cheek region lacking skinny sensory tubes. Single short spine between 1st and 2nd dorsal fins present or absent. Lateral-line scales with single opening to exterior. Color: body and head light brown Platycephalus indicus, 32.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) above, whitish below; dorsal fins with small dark spots; anal fin pale; pectoral and pelvic fins light brown with brown spots; caudal fin with 4 horizontal blackish bands, including that on middle of the fin. Size: attaining to at least about 45 cm SL. Distribution: South China Sea to India, including Canton, Vietnam, Johor Shoals and Borneo Malaysia. (H. Imamura) Platycephalus indicus, 11.6 cm SL (from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) Platycephalus indicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Bartail Flathead Baji Ekor Jalur D I-VI–VIII-0–1 + 13–14 (usually

13); A 13; P1 18–20; P2 I, 5; LLp 67– 84. Body elongate. Head strongly depressed. Spines on dorsal surface of head obscure in adults. Pre- opercle with 2 spines. Eye without ocular flaps. Iris lappet simple elongated lobe. Teeth on vomer in Sunagocia carbunculus, 13.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) single band. Finger-like interopercular flap present. Cheek region lacking skinny sensory tubes. Single short spine between 1st and 2nd dorsal fins present or absent. Sunagocia carbunculus Lateral-line scales with single open- (Valenciennes, 1833) with 4 or 5 dark bands crossing ing to exterior. Color: body and Papillose Flathead / Baji Mata dorsal surface; 1st dorsal fin with head covered by many small spots, D I-VII-VIII + 10–12 (usually 11); broad submarginal dark band; 2nd whitish below; 1st and 2nd dorsal, A 11–13 (usually 12); P1 18–19; P2 I, dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins with pectoral and pelvic fins with dark 5; LLp 50–54. Body elongate. Head numerous dark spots or blotches; spots; anal fin pale; caudal fin with moderately depressed. Suborbital anal fin white with faint dark sub- 2 horizontal dark bands, single ridge with many spines. Eye with marginal band; caudal fin with sev- yellow blotch near middle of fin. some papillae in a single row, eral vertical bands formed by small Size: maximum length about 50 middle one elongate. Iris lappet cri- dark spots. Size: maximum total cm. Distribution: widespread in nate. Teeth on vomer in 2 separate length about 18 cm, commonly 15 Indo-West Pacific. Population in patches. Interopercular flap absent. cm. Distribution: ranging from the eastern Mediterranean is mi- Cheek region covered by weakly Bombay to Indonesia, including grant. Remarks: occurring muddy developed skinny sensory tubes. Gulf of Thailand, Singapore and Jo- or sandy shallow coastal waters. Lateral-line scales with 2 openings hor Shoals. Remarks: occurring in Records from Japan and Korea are to exterior. Color: body and head muddy or sandy bottom to depths doubtful. (H. Imamura) greenish above, whitish below, of 85 m. (H. Imamura) 34

AMBASSIDAE Perchlets (Glassfishes) Small to moderate sized (up to 12 cm), oblong and compressed single dorsal fin with VII–VIII, 7–11 fishes. Lateral line continuous or interrupted at midway. Head compressed; eyes large; lower jaw sub- no opecular spines forked caudal fin equal or projecting beyond upper cycloid jaw; spines or serrations on various scales parts of head (e.g., round of eye, snout, and margins of preopercle and interopercle); no opercular spine; villiform teeth on jaws and roof of buccal cavity; branchiostegals 6. Dorsal fin single, deeply anal fin with III, 7–11 notched before last spine, with VII or VIII spines and 7–11 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 8–11 soft rays; pectoral fin with 11–17 and/or blotches on dorsal and fishes. Minor importance in fisher- soft rays; pelvic fin I, 5; caudal fin caudal fins, tinged with yellow in ies, often marketed as dried and forked. Scales cycloid, moderately some species. salted; some freshwater species large and thin, and usually easy to Remarks. Found in freshwaters, treated as popular aquarium fish. be deciduous. Vertebratae 24–25. brackish estuaries, mangroves, Similar families occurring in Color: sub-translucent or opaque, and shallow coastal water; usually the area. Apogonidae–2 separate with silvery head and belly; fins forming aggregations, and feed dorsal fins; II anal-fin spines. hyaline, usually with black streaks on small crustaceans, insects, and (K. Shibukawa)

Ambassis kopsii Bleeker, 1858 Singapore Glassy Perchlet Seriding Bintik D VII + I, 10–11; A III, 8–9; P1 14; LLS 26–28; PDS 8–11. Body deep, compressed; lateral line continuous. Single supraorbital spine (= posteriorly-directed spine at dorsoposterior margin of orbit); hind margin of preopercle smooth; 2 scale rows on cheek. Color: body semitransparent, head and belly silvery; a large black spot at distal tip of 1st dorsal fin; pelvic fin and anterior part of anal fin tinged with yellow. Size: 10.2 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in brackish estuaries and adjacent Ambassis kopsii, 6.2 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) coastal waters. (K. Shibukawa) 35

Ambassis nalua (Hamilton, 1822) Scalloped Perchlet Seriding Kipas D VII + I, 10–11; A III, 9; P1 15–17; LL 27–29; LR 27–29. Body deep, compressed; lateral line continuous. Single supraorbital spine (= posteriorly-directed spine at dorsoposteri- or margin of orbit); hind margin of preopercle smooth; 2 scale rows on cheek. Color: body semitransparent, head and belly silvery; dorsal fins hyaline, exclusive of 2nd spine and membrane between 2nd and 3rd spines of 1st dorsal fin blackish. Size: 9.5 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in bays, brackish estuaries and tidal creeks, especially mangroves. Ambassis nalua, 4.8 cm SL (K. Shibukawa) (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by U. Satapoomin)

Ambassis nalua, 5.4 cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura)

Ambassis nalua, 5.1cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) 36

LATIDAE Lates Perches Medium to large sized (up to 2 m TL) percoid fishes. Body elongate, 2 dorsal fins not completely separated compressed; dorsal profile behind eyes concave or convex. Eyes medium sized, relatively close to tip of snout and dorsal profile. Preopercle with serrated posterior or ventral margins and a stout flat spine at angle; opercle with small flat spine; serrated supracleithrum exposed, near beginning of lateral line. Snout rounded. Mouth large, almost horizontal. Teeth preopercle serrated, a stout flat spine at angle lateral line extending small, in villiform bands on onto caudal fin upper and lower jaws, vomer, and palatines (maybe present on fin base. Caudal fin rounded. water habitats. Important and tongue). Dorsal fin deeply incised Scales large, ctenoid; covering popular food fish. between spiny and soft portions; bases of caudal, soft dorsal, and Similar families occurring in but not completely separated or, anal fins; lateral-line scales 45–50, the area: Serranidae–preopercle if separated, with 1 or 2 isolated extending onto caudal fin in 1 usually without large flat spines spines present between them, or 3 series. Vertebrae 11 + 14 = or serrations; opercle with 3 flat with VII–IX spines and 10–14 25. Branchiostegal rays 7. Color: spines; lateral line not extending soft rays. Anal fin with III spines adults greenish or silvery gray to onto caudal fin. Mronidae–opercle and 7–9 soft rays. Pelvic fin with brown, juveniles with stripes; eyes with 2 spines; pelvic fins without axillary scale, and I spine and 5 with characteristic red reflection. axillary scale; lateral line not soft rays. Pectoral fin with 16 or Remarks: occurring coastal extending onto caudal fin. 17 rays and spiny flap just above marine and estuarine to fresh- (M. Matsunuma)

Psammoperca waigiensis (Cuvier, 1828) Waigieu Seaperch (Sand Bass) Kakap Putih VII-I, 13–14; A III, 9; P1 16–17; LLp 48–49. Body moderately deep, elongate, and compressed; dorsal profile of head concave anteriorly. Eye moderate, slightly shorter than snout length. Mouth subterminal and moderate, posterior end of upper jaw reaching to or extending past level below middle of eye; lower jaw not protruding anteriorly. Lower edge of preopercle smooth, only 1 large flat spine pres- Psammoperca waigiensis, 11.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) ent at angle. Anterior and posterior nostrils widely separated from each other. Caudal fin rounded to double truncate. Anterior part of cm SL. Distribution: East Indo- head naked with many tiny lateral- West Pacific, ranging from India line pores dorsally. Color: green- eastward to Papua New Guinea, ish brown to silvery grey, paler and from northern Australia north- ventrally, darker brown lines may ward to southern Japan. Remarks: follow scale rows along length of occurs on shallow rocky and coral body; yellowish brawn oblique line reefs especially near estuarine area on cheek. All fins without distinct or algal beds. Frequently marketed markings. Size: commonly 20–30 fresh. (M. Nakae) 37

CENTROGENYIDAE False Scorpionfish Only a single species, Centroge- dorsoposterior part of opercle nys vaigiensis, from shallow coastal with 2 spines (upper one much smaller and concealed by waters; maximum size about 25 scales) cm. Body deep and compressed. Eye large, its diameter longer than snout; anterior nostril with a long anterior nostril fleshy flap; upper jaw extending with a long to a vertical through middle of fleshy flap eye; lower jaw slightly projecting beyond upper jaw; dorsoposterior part of opercle with 2 spines (upper one much smaller and concealed by scales); posterior margin of preopercle finely serrate; 3–4 anteriorly-directed spines along ven- 3–4 anteriorly-directed tral margin of preopercle; teeth on spines along ventral margin of preopercle 2nd dorsal-fin spine much jaws villiform, uniform in size; gill longer than other two. membranes united medially, with a free rear margin across isthmus. between spinous and soft portions; cate. Head and body covered by ctenoid origin of dorsal fin above posterior Similar families occurring in scales, except for lips, lower jaw margin of preopercle; of 3 anal- the area. Serranidae–three opercu- and a small area between eye and fin spines, middle one strong and lar spines; at least some enlarged upper jaw with no scales. Single much longer than the other two; canine-like teeth on jaws. dorsal fin, with a shallow notch caudal fin rounded or nearly trun- (K. Shibukawa) Centrogenys vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) False Scorpionfish / Kopu D XIII–XIV, 9–11; A III 5; P1 12–14; LLp 36–44. Color: head and body pale brownish with irregular darkbrown mottles; pectoral, pelvic and anal fins pale brownish with some dark-brown bars; similar but more irregular dark bars on caudal fin. Size: maximum length about 25 cm. Distribution: western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean. Re- marks: occurring in shallow coastal waters with rubbles. (K. Shibukawa) Centrogenys vaigiensis, 8.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura)

Centrogenys vaigiensis, 7.5 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) 38

APOGONIDAE Cardinalfishes Small sized (up to about 20 cm), compressed and oblong or mod- VI–VIII 2 dorsal fins erately elongate fishes. Eyes large; I, 8–14 mouth large, oblique with vari- 1 opercular spine able dentition; a single opercular spine. Scales usually ctenoid, but large eye cycloid in some groups and absent in Gymnapogon and Paxton; lateral line continuous, incomplete usually cte- or absent in some groups. Two noid scales separated dorsal fins, the 1st with VI–VIII spines and the 2nd with I large mouth spine and 8–14 soft rays (except for II, 8–18 Paxton having a single dorsal fin with VI spines and 19 rays); anal fin with II spines (except for Pax- ton with a single spine) and 8–18 soft rays; pelvic fin I, 5; caudal or diagonal bars, or nearly plain. follow Mabuchi et al. (2014). fin forked, emarginate, truncate, Remarks. Chiefly inhabit marine Similar families occurring in or rounded. Color: variable with coastal waters, but also found in the area. Chanidae–a single dorsal patterns of light- or dark-colored fresh and brackish water areas in fin but deeply notched, III anal-fin stripes, reticulation, spots, vertical some groups. The generic names spines. (K. Shibukawa)

Archamia bleekeri (Günther, 1859) Sebekah D VI + I, 9; A II, 15–17; P1 14; LLp 25; GR 5–7 + 15–18. Body oblong, moderately deep and compressed. Lateral line well developed, extending to caudal-fin base. No enlarged caninoid teeth on jaws. Caudal fin emarginate. Anal-fin base longer than 2nd dorsal-fin base. Color: body silvery pink. Numerous yellow pigments on head. Relatively small black spot, its size less than pupil diameter on caudal-fin base. Size: 6 cm SL. Distribution: Indo- West Pacific. Remarks: found on rocky and coral reefs, and sandy Archamia bleekeri, 5.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) and muddy bottoms at depths of 3–21 m. (T. Yoshida)

Archamia bleekeri, 4.2 cm SL (from Lombok, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) 39

Fibramia lateralis (Valenciennes, 1832) Pinstripe Cardinalfish Sebekah D VI + I, 9; A II, 8; P1 14; LL 24. Body oblong, moderately deep and compressed; lateral line well developed, extending posteriorly to caudal-fin base. Snout moderately pointed. Posterior margin of preopercle serrated. No enlarged caninoid teeth on jaws. Base of anal fin subequal to base of 2nd dorsal fin in length; caudal fin emarginate. Color: body subtranslucent gray; head and belly silvery; an indistinct, narrow black longitudinal Fibramia lateralis, 6.6 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) line along midlateral body; a minute (smaller than pupil) black spot at caudal-fin base; fins transparent, exclusive of anterodorsal part of 1st dorsal fin black. Size: 10 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: inhabits brackish-water estuaries (especially mangrove areas), shallow protected bays and lagoons; forms aggregations. (K. Shibukawa)

Ostorhinchus fasciatus (Shaw, 1790) Broadbanded Cardinalfish Sebekah Jalur Lebar D VII + I, 9; A II, 8; P1 15–16 (usually 16); LL 24–25; GR 2–4 + 10–14. Body oblong, moderately deep and compressed; lateral line well developed, extending posteriorly to caudal-fin base. Snout moderately pointed. Posterior margin of preopercle serrated. No enlarged caninoid teeth on jaws. Base of anal fin subequal to base of 2nd dorsal fin in length; caudal fin emarginate. Color: body pinkish, with 2 black stripes on body sides, the upper stripe extending from snout to the dorsal portion of the caudal-fin base, the lower stripe from snout extending onto caudal-fin margin; lower stripe (middle stripe) with- Ostorhinchus fasciatus, 5.5 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) out extensional bar on lower margin; fins semitranslucent to pinkish; 2nd dorsal and anal fins with an indistinct reddish brown stripe basally. Size: 5 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in the Indo- West Pacific, from the east coast of Africa to eastern Australia north to southern Japan. Remarks: found in coastal waters at depths of 2–128 m. (M. Matsunuma) 40

Ostorhinchus margaritophorus (Bleeker, 1855) Red-striped Cardinalfish Sebekah

D VII + I, 9; A II, 8; P1 14; LLp 25; GR 5 + 18–20. Body oblong, moderately deep and compressed. Lateral line well developed, extending to caudal-fin base. No enlarged caninoid teeth on jaws. Caudal fin emarginate. Color: head and body silvery white; 3 narrow, brown, longitudinal stripes on dorsal body; a broad, brown, ladder-shaped, longitudinal stripe on middle of body. First dorsal-fin membrane reddish distally with whitish base Ostorhinchus margaritophorus, 3.3 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) and spines. Second dorsal- and anal-fin membranes semi-transparent with a narrow, reddish, indistinct stripe basally. Pectoral fin semi-transparent without distinct markings. Pelvic fin reddish. Cau- dal fin semi-transparent with pale red longitudinal stripe on middle of fin. Size: 6 cm SL. Distribution: known from the western Pacific, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Remarks: found on seagrass bed, coral reefs and lagoons at depths of 1–5 m. (T. Yoshida)

Ostorhinchus pleuron (Fraser, 2005) Sebekah D VII + I, 9; A II, 8; P1 15–16 (usually 15); LLp 24–25; GR 3–5 + 13–17. Body oblong, moderately deep and compressed; lateral line well developed, extending posteriorly to caudal-fin base. Snout moderately pointed. Posterior margin of preopercle serrated. No enlarged caninoid teeth on jaws. Base of anal fin subequal to base of 2nd dorsal fin in length; caudal fin emarginate. Color: body pinkish, with 2 black stripes on body sides, the upper stripe extending from snout to dorsal portion of caudal-fin base, the lower stripe from snout extend- Ostorhinchus pleuron, 6.2 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) ing onto caudal-fin margin; lower stripe (middle stripe) with about 5–9 narrow vertical bars on lower edge. Size: 5 cm SL. Distribution: eastern Indian Ocean and West Central Pacific. Remarks: found in coastal waters at depths of 3–91 m. (M. Matsunuma) 41

SILLAGINIDAE Sillago (Smelt, Whitings)

Moderate-sized (to 50 cm), elon- 2 dorsal fins gate fishes. Opercle with a small sharp spine; lower part of pre- IX–XII opercle horizontal. Snout long and 1 opecular spine I, 16–7 conical. Mouth small, terminal; end of upper jaw sliding below preorbital bone. Teeth villiform, in broad bands; small teeth on roof of ctenoid scales mouth restricted to anterior part small terminal of vomer, none on palatines. Two mouth separate dorsal fins, the 1st with anal fin with II, 14–27 IX–XII slender spines; the 2nd with I spine and 16–27 soft rays; anal fin long, with II weak spines and 14–27 bottom-dwelling, schooling fishes the area. Branchiostegidae–a single soft ray. Scales small, ctenoid; lateral with a few species found in deeper continuous dorsal fin; mouth large line slightly arched. Swimbladder water to about 180 m. They fre- with fleshy lips. Pinguipedidae frequently complex. Color: silvery quently enter estuaries, penetrating (=Parapercidae, Mugiloididae)–dor- to sandy gray or green, sometimes into fresh water for brief periods. sal-fin spines short; spinous dorsal with black spots on body and They feed mainly on benthic or fin sometimes joined to soft dorsal pectoral-fin base. epibenthic organisms. fin; pelvic-fin base in advance of Remarks. Sillaginids are inshore, Similar families occurring in pectoral-fin base. (U. Satapoomin)

Sillago sihama (Forsskål, 1775) Silver Sillago / Puntung Damar D XI + I, 20–23; A II, 21–23; LLp 66–72. Body elongate, subcylindrical, covered with ctenoid scales; 1st pelvic-fin ray normal, not thickened club-like structure; swimbladder with 2 anterior and 2 posterior extensions; anterior extensions extend Sillago sihama, 16.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) forward and diverge to terminate on each side of the basioccipital above the auditory capsule; 2 lateral extensions commence anteriorly, each sending a blind tubule anterolaterally and then extending along the abdominal wall below the investing peritoneum to just posterior of the duct-like process; 2 posterior tapering extensions of the swimbladder project into the caudal region, one usually longer than the other; vertebrae 14 + 2–8 + 12–18 Sillago sihama, 16.0 cm SL (total 34). Color: body light tan, sil- (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) very yellow-brown, sandy brown, or honey colored; paler brown to silvery white below; a midlateral, Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and lago suezensis Golani, Fricke and silvery, longitudinal band normally Knysna (South Africa) to Japan and Tikochinski, 2013 as a new species present; dorsal fins dusky termi- south to Australia. Remarks: com- based on the species previously at- nally with or without rows of dark mon along beaches, sandbars, man- tributed to S. sihama from the north- brown spots on the 2nd dorsal- grove creeks and estuaries. Feeds ern Red Sea. Because the status of fin membrane; caudal fin dusky mainly on polychaete worms, small the species formerly identified as S. terminally; no dark blotch at base prawns, shrimps and amphipods. sihama from the Indo-West Pacific of pectoral fins; other fins hyaline; Recently Golani et al. (2011) re- except the Red Sea is still unclear, anal fin frequently with a whitish described S. sihama as a species the present description of the spe- margin. Size: maximum standard endemic to the southern Red Sea. cies follows McKay (1992, 1999). length about 30 cm. Distribution: Subsequently they described Sil- (U. Satapoomin) 42

ECHENEIDAE Remoras Medium-sized (up to 90 cm), elongate and fusiform fishes. Head oval-shaped cephalic disc dorsal fin with 18–45 wide, depressed; a transversely with transverse laminae laminated, oval-shaped cephalic disc. Opercle without spines. small cycloid scales 8–11 branchiostegal rays. Dorsal fin with 18–45 soft rays. Anal fin with 18–41; dorsal- and anal-fin anal fin with 18–41 bases long, lacking spines. Caudal fin slightly forked, emarginate, or slightly rounded in adults; light and dark longitudinal stripes food scraps dropped by the host. with elongate median caudal-fin on trunk. No commercial importance, but filament in juveniles of some spe- Remarks. Attaching to other some species are taken in coastal cies. Pectoral fin with 18–32 rays. fishes, cetaceans, sea turtles, fisheries along with other fishes Pelvic fin with I spine and 5 soft whales, or dolphins with a sucking and sold in local markets. rays. Scales small, cycloid, usually disc on head; a great preference or Similar families occurring in embedded in skin. No swimblad- specificity toward certain hosts in the area. No other family of fishes der. Color: body brown, grayish some species. Feeds on parasitic has a sucking disc dorsally on the to black, sometimes whitish, with copepods attached to a host and head. (H. Motomura)

Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus, 1758 Sharksucker / Tapak Kasut D 34–42; A 31–41; P1 21–24; P2 I, 5; LGR 11–16. Body elongate, body depth 8–14 in SL. Sucking disc large, with 18–28 laminae. Caudal fin lanceolate in young, middle rays Echeneis naucrates, 49.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) elongate and filamentous; almost truncate in adults, with upper and lower lobes longer than middle rays. Pectoral fins pointed. Color: body gray to blackish, with a white- edged black stripe from tip of lower jaw to caudal-fin base. Upper and lower margins of fins whitish in juveniles. Pectoral fins blackish. Pelvic fins grayish to whitish. Size: maximum length about 1 m Echeneis naucrates, 19.1 cm SL SL. Distribution: circumglobal in (from Palawan, Philippines; photo by Seishi Kimura) tropical to warm temperate seas, except for Pacific coast of America. Remarks: attaching temporarily to a wide variety of hosts such as sharks, sea turtles and ships. Often found free-swimming and occurring inshore waters. (H. Motomura)

Echeneis naucrates, 47.4 cm SL (from Iriomote Island, Japan; photo by Seishi Kimura) 43

CARANGIDAE Jacks (Scads, Trevallies) Medium to large sized marine fishes; maximum size about 2 2 dorsal fins m. Body shape extremely variable, ranging from elongate and IV–VIII I, 17–44 forked fusiform to deep and strongly caudal fin compressed. Two dorsal fins, the 1st with IV–VIII spines (obsolete or embedded in adult of some cycloid scales species) and the 2nd with I spine and 17–44 soft rays; anal fin usually with III spines, the anterior II (rarely only I) detached from the rest of the fin (becoming embedded in adults of some species), and anterior 2 anal fin anal fin with III, 15–39 15–39 soft rays; pelvic fin I, 5; cau- spines detached dal fin forked. Scales small cycloid in most species; scutes present and prominent on the lateral line in and sometimes freshwater areas. Lactariidae–no detached anal-fin most species, but reduced in some Similar families occurring in spine; no scutes in the lateral line. species and absent in some gen- the area. Carangidae is distin- Scombridae–dorsal-fin spines IX– era. Vertebral counts 24–27. Color: guished from the following similar XXVII; no detached anal-fin spine; body silvery, darker (brownish or families in having 2 detached anal- no scutes in the lateral line. Stro- greenish) dorsally, paler ventrally. fin spines (sometimes completely mateid genus Pampus very similar Dark bars or spots on body, and/or embedded in adults in several to Parastromateus niger in body yellowish fins in some species. genera), and enlarged scutes along shape, but the former lacking a Remarks. Occurring in tropical at least posterior lateral line in lateral keel of scutes at caudal pe- to temperate marine, estuarine, some genera. Centrolophidae and duncle. (S. Kimura)

Alectis indica (Rüppell, 1830) Indian Threadfish Rambai Sagai D V–VI (embedded) + I, 18–20; A II (embedded) + I, 15–17; GR 7–11 + 21–26 = 29–37. Body deep, diamond shaped in juvenile, becoming more elongated with growth, strongly compressed; profile of forehead to nape somewhat angular. Anterior soft rays of dorsal and anal fins very long, filamentous in juveniles; pelvic fins elongated in juveniles. Body superficially naked, scales minute and embedded where present; straight part of lateral line with scutes (6–13) only posteriorly. Color: body silvery greenish or grayish dorsally, silvery white ventrally; dark bands on body in juveniles; anal fin yellowish. Size: maximum length about 1.6 m. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to New Guinea, north to southern Japan. Remarks: occurring in tropical coastal waters. Feeds mainly on fishes, squids, and crustaceans. Marketed fresh, dried, Alectis indica, 8.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) or salted. (S. Kimura) 44

Carangoides armatus (Rüppell, 1830) Longfin Trevally Demuduk Putih D VIII + I, 19–22; A II + I, 16–18; GR 10–15 + 20–24 = 31–37; V 10 + 14. Body deep, strongly compressed. Dorsal contour of forehead almost straight. Central part of dorsal-fin soft rays produced into filaments in adult males. Breast widely naked to pectoral-fin base and behind insertion of pelvic fins, but naked area not extending above pectoral- fin base. Straight part of lateral line shorter than curved part, with 11–24 weak scutes posteriorly. Color: body silvery blue-gray or green-gray dorsally, silvery white ventrally; black spot on upper margin of opercle. Size: maximum Carangoides armatus, 10.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) length 57 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: occurring in coastal waters near coral or rocky reefs. (S. Kimura)

Gnathanodon speciosus (Forsskål, 1775) Golden Trevally Gerung Belang D VII–VIII + I, 18–21; A II + I, 15–17; GR 7–9 + 19–22 = 27–30; V 10 + 14. Body oblong, somewhat deep. Both jaws without teeth in adults, a few feeble teeth on lower jaw in young; Gnathanodon speciosus, 11.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) lips fleshy and remarkably thick. Breast completely scaled; straight part of lateral line with scutes (17– 26) posteriorly. Color: body silvery yellow with 7–11 black bands, usually alternating broad and narrow in juveniles and young adults; the 1st band oblique through eye. All fins yellow, caudal-fin tips black. Size: maximum length about 1.2 m. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-Pacific and tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. Remarks: occurs in deep lagoon and seaward reefs. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and small fishes. Marketed fresh and Parastromateus niger, 21.7 cm SL dried. (S. Kimura) (from Port Dickson, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) Parastromateus niger (Bloch, 1795) Black Pomfret / Bawal Hitam anal-fin spines embedded, not Color: body dark brown or black D IV–V + I, 40–45; A II + I, 35–39; seen in adults; pelvic fins absent uniformly. Size: maximum length GR 5–7 + 13–16; V 10 + 14. Body in young and adults (> 10 cm FL), about 75 cm. Distribution: Indo- deep, rhomboidal, strongly com- present before level of pectoral- West Pacific, from Gulf of Oman to pressed; dorsal and anal profiles fin base in juvenile. Straight part northern Australia. Remarks: in- equally much convex. Spinous of lateral line much shorter than habits coastal waters with muddy portion of dorsal fin and detached curved part, with 8–19 weak scutes. bottom. (S. Kimura) 45

Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacepède, 1801 Talang Queenfish Talang Lima Jari D VI–VII + I, 19–21; A II + I, 16–19; GR 0–3 + 7–12 = 8–15; V 10 + 16. Body elongate, strongly compressed. Hind tip of upper jaw extending well beyond a vertical through posterior margin of eye in adults; dentary with 1–2 symphy- seal canines. Body covered with broadly lanceolate scales; no scutes along lateral line. Color: body blue- greenish gray dorsally, silvery Scomberoides commersonnianus, 23.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) white ventrally, with a series of 6–8 dusky roundish blotches dorsolaterally in adults; anal and pelvic fins whitish in young. Size: maximum length about 1.2 m. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from eastern coast of Africa to Australia. (S. Kimura)

Trachinotus mookalee Cuvier, 1832 Indian Pompano Bawalmas Kapak D VI + I, 18–20; A II + I, 16–18; GR 5–8 + 8–10; V 10 + 14. Body ovate in juveniles and young, somewhat elongate in adults (> 40 cm FL), strongly compressed; dorsal and ventral profiles almost equally con- Trachinotus mookalee, 29.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) vex in young, snout and forehead broadly rounded in adults. Supra- occipital bone broad and sausage- shaped in specimens >ca. 30 cm FL. Both jaws with villiform tooth bands. Dorsal-fin lobe rather short, 24–30% FL in specimens >40 cm FL. First supraneural bone inverted “L”-shaped. No scutes. Color: body silvery brownish-gray dorsally, silvery white ventrally. Size: maximum length about 90 cm. Distribu- tion: widely distributed in Indo- Pacific, from Gulf of Oman to East China Sea, north to southern Japan. (S. Kimura)

Ulua mentalis (Cuvier, 1833) Longrakered Trevally Sagai Mulut Hitam D VIII + I, 21–22; A II + I, 17–18; GR 23–27 + 51–61 = 74–86; V 10 + 14. Ulua mentalis, 10.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Body deep, strongly compressed; dorsal profile almost equally convex with ventral profile in narrow band in juveniles. Posterior Color: body silvery blue-green dor- juveniles, but more strongly con- 2 or 3 spines in 1st dorsal fin and sally, silvery white ventrally; juve- vex in adults. Hind tip of upper detached anal-fin spines usually niles with 7–8 dark bands laterally. jaw reaching to level of anterior embedded. Breast widely naked to Size: maximum length 1 m. Distri- margin of eye; teeth on both jaws pectoral-fin base and insertion of bution: widely distributed in Indo- small, pointed in a single row in pelvic fins. Straight part of lateral West Pacific, from South Africa to adults, or in a irregular row or a line entirely with 24–39 scutes. northeastern Australia. (S. Kimura) 46

LEIOGNATHIDAE Slipmouths (Ponyfishes) Small to medium-sized marine and brackish fishes; maximum single dorsal fin with size about 25 cm. Body slimy and VII–IX, 14–17 deep, ovate, strongly compressed, except a few species. Head usu- forked caudal fin head usually ally naked (cheek scales present naked in some species) with bony ridges on upper surface; a median bony ridge (crest) on nape; mouth small, highly protrusible; no pseudobran- chiae; gill membranes united with isthmus. Unique light organ encir- cling the posterior part of esopha- gus. Scales small cycloid easily shed. A single dorsal fin, lacking a mouth highly protrusible anal fin with III, 13–14 distinct notch, with VII–IX spines (usually VIII) and 15–17 (usually 16) soft rays; anal fin usually with III spines and 13–15 (usually 14) soft rays; pelvic fin I, 5; caudal fin to temperate marine and estuarine (except cheek in some species), forked. Vertebral counts 22–24. areas. The generic names follow and small cycloid scales on body. Color: body generally silver; dark Kimura et al. (2008a, b, c). Carangidae–2 dorsal fins; mouth vertical bars or yellow spots on Similar families occurring in not highly protrusible. Gerreidae– body, a black blotch on top of dor- the area. Leiognathidae is dis- scales large; head scaled; scaly sal fin, yellow vertical-fin margins tinguished from the following sheath along the bases of dorsal in some species. similar families in having strongly and anal fins well developed. Remarks. Occurring in tropical protrusible mouth, naked head (S. Kimura)

Equulites leuciscus (Günther, 1860) Whipfin Ponyfish Kekek Jarum D VIII, 15–16 (usually 16); A III, 14;

P1 16–19; LLp 55–68; GR 5–7 + 12– 15 = 17–22; V 10 + 14. Body oblong, somewhat elongate, compressed; dorsal and ventral profiles similarly convex. Mouth protruding downwards, with small slender teeth on both jaws; ventral profile of lower jaw slightly concave or almost straight. Cheek naked; breast completely scaled laterally with narrow naked area ventrally. Second dorsal-fin spine distinctly elongated, filamentous, 2nd anal-fin spine also elongated in adults. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant Equulites leuciscus, 10.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) silvery-white ventrally; irregular oblique dark lines dorsolaterally on body. Size: maximum length about 12 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from Channel. Remarks: usually found eastern Africa to Australia, north- in shallow waters. Feeds on small ward to southern Japan. Invaded crustaceans and polychaetes. Mar- into Mediterranean through Suez keted fresh or dried. (S. Kimura) 47

Equulites oblongus (Valenciennes, 1835) Oblong Ponyfish Kekek Oblong D VIII, 16; A III, 13–14 (usually

14); P1 16–19; LLp 52–63; GR 4–6 + 12–15 = 17–20; V 10 + 14. Body oblong, somewhat elongate, compressed. Mouth protruding downwards, with small slender teeth on both jaws; ventral profile of lower jaw slightly concave. Cheek naked; breast completely scaled laterally with narrow naked area ventrally. Second dorsal- and anal-fin spines not distinctly elongated. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, bril- Equulites oblongus, 7.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) liant silvery-white ventrally; irregular oblique dark lines dorsolaterally on body; dorsal, anal and caudal fins yellowish. Size: maximum length about 10 cm SL. Distribu- tion: widely distributed in Indo- West Pacific. Remarks: Feeds on small crustaceans and polychaetes. Marketed fresh or dried. (S. Kimura)

Equulites stercorarius (Evermann and Seale, 1907) Slender Ponyfish Kekek Bujur D VIII, 16; A III, 14; P 16–18; LLp 1 Equulites stercorarius, 9.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 58–61; GR 5–6 + 11–14 = 16–20; V 10 + 14. Body elongate, moderately compressed. Mouth protruding downwards; profile of lower jaw almost straight; small slender teeth arranged in a single row on jaws. Retrorse spines of dorsal and anal- fin pterygiophores embedded. Cheek, breast, and belly completely scaled. Color: body brownish dorsally, silvery-white ventrally; black blotch on snout; dark irregular oblique lines indistinctly on dorsolateral body surface; dorsal and anal fins with yellow bands. Size: maximum length about 12 cm. Distribution: found in Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Remarks: inhabits soft bottom area at depths shallower than 50 m. (S. Kimura) Eubleekeria jonesi, 10.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura)

Eubleekeria jonesi slender teeth on both jaws; ventral yellow but easily fade out; distal (James, 1971) profile of lower jaw almost straight; half of fin membranes between 2nd Yellowlined Ponyfish lower margin of eye located above and 5th spines of dorsal fin with a Kekek Mahkota level of mouth gape. Cheek naked; somewhat pale black blotch. Size: D VIII, 16; A III, 14–15 (usually 14); breast almost completely scaled; maximum length about 14 cm SL.

P1 16–19; LLp 50–61; GR 5–7 + 21– semicircular naked area on nape. Distribution: found in tropical 24 = 24–31; V 10 + 14. Body deep, Color: head and body almost uni- Indo-West Pacific, from Mauritius ovate, strongly compressed. Mouth formly silvery-white; tip of snout to Indonesia. Remarks: feeds on protruding downwards, with small dark; lateral-line scales prominent benthic invertebrates. (S. Kimura) 48

Nuchequula gerreoides (Bleeker, 1851) Yellowfinned Ponyfish Kekek D VIII, 14–17 (usually VIII, 16); A

III, 13–15 (usually III, 14); P1 16–20; LLp 52 –69; GR 3–7 + 13–22 = 18–29; V 10 + 14. Body deep, compressed, oblong. Mouth protruding downwards; profile of lower jaw concave; small slender teeth arranged in a single row on jaws; cheek naked. Retrorse spines of dorsal and anal-fin pterygiophores exposed but blunt. Cheek, breast, and belly widely naked. Color: body generally silvery-white; black blotches on snout tip and nape; dorsal and anal fins with yellow margins; pectoral Nuchequula gerreoides, 9.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) fin often yellowish. Size: maximum length about 13 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: inhabits soft bottom area at depths shallower than 30 m. (S. Kimura)

Nuchequula longicornis Kimura, Kimura and Ikejima, 2008 Longspine Ponyfish Kekek Dwifilamen D VIII, 15–16 (usually 16); A III, 14;

P1 15–19; LLp 51–88; GR 4–7 + 16–20 = 21–27; V 10 + 14. Body rounded, disk-like, strongly compressed; ventral profile similarly convex as, or more strongly convex than ventral profile. Mouth protruding forwards, with small conical teeth in a single row on both jaws; Nuchequula gerreoides, 7.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) ventral profile of lower jaw almost straight or slightly concave. Cheek naked; breast almost completely scaled laterally with narrow naked area ventrally. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant silvery-white ventrally; irregular oblique dark lines and/or dark vermiculation dorsolaterally on body; spinous portion of dorsal fin dark orange to yellow distally, anterior anal fin yellowish distally. Size: maximum length about 10 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from Red Sea to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan. Remarks: usually found in muddy bottoms of coastal inshore waters. Marketed fresh or dried. (S. Kimura)

Nuchequula longicornis, 6.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 49

Secutor hanedai Mochizuki and Hayashi, 1989 Haneda's Ponyfish / Kekek D VIII, 16; A III, 14; P1 15–18; LLp 60–70; GR 5–7 + 17–20 = 22–26; V 10 + 14. Body oblong, somewhat elongate, compressed; ventral profile more strongly convex than dorsal profile. Mouth protruding upwards, with minute teeth on both jaws; ventral profile of lower jaw slightly concave. Cheek and breast naked. Color: body silvery brownish green dorsally, brilliant silvery-white ventrally; 9 or 10 vertical series of dark bars or blotches dorsolaterally on body. Size: maximum length about 10 Secutor hanedai, 5.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) cm. Distribution: found in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and Kali- mantan. Remarks: usually found in muddy bottoms in shallow waters. Marketed fresh or dried. Kottelat (2013) treated Sector Gistel, 1948 as a replacement name for Equula Cuvier, 1815 (= Leiognathus Lace- pède, 1802). However, Gistel (1948) provided Zeus insidiator Bloch, 1787 as the type species of Secutor. Because it is difficult at the present to decide that Gistel’s action was replacement of the generic name or establishment of a new genus, here the author use Secutor as a valid generic name according to Jordan (1919). (S. Kimura)

Secutor megalolepis Mochizuki and Hayashi, 1989 Secutor hanedai, 6.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Bigscaled Ponyfish / Kekek D VIII, 16; A III, 14; P1 15–16; LLp 43–49; GR 4–6 + 16–20 = 21–25; V 10 + 14. Body disk-like, strongly compressed; ventral profile more strongly convex than dorsal profile. Mouth protruding upwards, with minute teeth on both jaws; ventral profile of lower jaw almost concave. Cheek and breast completely scaled. Color: body silvery brownish dorsally, brilliant silvery-white ventrally; about 10 series of vertical dark bars or blotches dorsolaterally on body. Size: maximum length about 6 cm SL. Distribution: found in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, northern Australia, and Okinawa, Japan. Remarks: usually found in muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters and estuary. Secutor megalolepis, 4.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Marketed fresh or dried. (S. Kimura) 50

LUTJANIDAE Snappers Typical perch-like fishes, oblong single dorsal fin with X–XII, 10–19 in shape, moderately compressed caudal fin (size to 160 cm). Eye usually mod- preopercle truncate to erate; premaxilla usually moder- scaled forked ately protrusible; mouth terminal and fairly large; maxilla slipping for most or all of its length under lachrymal when mouth closed; ctenoid scales jaws bearing enlarged canine teeth; vomer and palatines usually with teeth. Scales moderate to rather small ctenoid; cheek and opercu- snout and lachrymal naked lum scaly; maxilla with or without anal fin with III, 7–11 scales; snout, lachrymal, and lower jaw naked. Dorsal fin continuous tors, mostly nocturnal, feeding on dae–opercular membranes broadly or slightly notched, with X–XII crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes; united to each other; preopercular spines and 10–19 soft rays; anal several are planktivores. margin typically smooth; bran- fin with III spines and 7–11 soft Similar families occurring in chiostegal rays 6; soft rays in dor- rays 7–11; pectoral fin rays 14–19; the area. Caesionidae–mouth sal fin 9 or 10; no teeth on vomer pelvic fins with I spine and 5 soft small; premaxillae extremely pro- or palatines; most species lack rays, originating just behind pec- trusible; teeth small and minute; scales on cheek; lips frequently toral base. Branchiostegal rays caudal fin deeply forked, with fleshy. Nemipteridae–preopercular 7. Vertebrae 24 (10 + 14). Color: pointed lobes. Haemulidae–scales margin typically smooth; soft rays highly variable; mainly from red present on snout and lachrymal, in dorsal fin 9; soft rays in anal fin through yellow to blue; often with those in lachrymal often embed- usually 7, rarely 8; branchiostegal blotches, lines, or other patterns. ded; preoperculo-mandibular ca- rays 6; no teeth on vomer or pala- Remarks. Generally bottom- nal lateral system opening under tines. Sparidae–preopercular mar- associated fishes, occurring from chin through median longitudinal gin typically smooth; branchioste- shallow inshore areas to depths groove or enlarged pores or both; gal rays 6; teeth in jaws variable– of about 500 m, mainly over reefs usually no teeth on vomer and pal- conical, incisiform, or molariform. or rock outcrops. Active preda- atines; vertebrae 26 or 27. Lethrini- (U. Satapoomin)

Lutjanus carponotus (Richardson, 1842) Spanish Flag Snapper Kunyik Bendera D. X, 14–16; A. III, 9: P1 15–17; LLp 48–51; GR 6–8+ 8–11. Body moderately deep, elongated and compressed, its depth around 2.6–2.7 in SL. Anterodorsal profile of head steeply sloped. Preorbital bone (lacrimal bone depth) about equal to eye diameter, or slightly wider with growth. Preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Caudal fin truncate or slightly emarginate. Color: generally blue-gray on upper side, grading to white or Lutjanus carponotus, 7.2 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) yellow white ventrally with a series of about 8 orange or yellow longitudinal stripes on the sides (often denser and lighter stripes 50–60 mm SL have a series of 6–7 40 cm, commonly 20–25 cm SL. alternately). All fins yellowish golden brown or orange stripes Distribution: Indo-West Pacific; and a distinct black spot at base on side and a broad white stripes India to western Pacific, common of uppermost rays and axil of the running from snout to caudal-fin in southern Indonesia and northern pectoral fins. Juveniles less than base. Size: maximum length about Australia. (Y. Iwatsuki) 51

Lutjanus carponotus, 7.9 cm SL (from Bitung, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura)

Lutjanus fulviflamma (Forsskål, 1775) Blackspot Snapper Kunyit Dori D X, 12–14; A III, 8; P1 16–17; LLp 46–49; GR 6–7 + 9–12. Body moderately deep to somewhat slender. Preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Caudal fin truncate or slightly emarginate. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Color: back and upper sides brown; lower sides whitish or light brown; whitish to yellow on Lutjanus fulviflamma, 22.0 cm SL belly; 6 or 7 yellow stripes on sides; (from Iriomote Island, Japan; photo by S. Kimura) a prominent black spot at level of lateral line below base of anterior part of soft portion of dorsal fin; fins yellowish. Size: maximum length about 35 cm. Distribution: widespread in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Samoa. Remarks: occurring in coral reefs. Juveniles sometimes found in brackish water or mangrove estuaries. Feeds mainly on fishes, shrimps, crabs, and other crustaceans. Frequently seen in markets, usually fresh. Caught mainly with hook and line. (Y. Iwatsuki)

Lutjanus fulviflamma, 11.6 cm SL (from Nha Trang, Vietnam; photo by S. Kimura) 52

GERREIDAE Mojarras (Silverbiddy) Small to medium sized marine and brackish fishes; maximum size about 40 cm. Body com- single dorsal fin with IX–X, 9–18 pressed, depth variable, oblong to scaly sheath rhomboidal. Head scaled; mouth small, highly protrusible; teeth on head scaled jaws small, brush-like; gill mem- large cycloid scales brane free from isthmus. A single caudal fin dorsal fin, lacking a distinct notch, deeply with IX–X spines and 9–18 soft forked rays; anal fin usually with II–IV spines and 13–14 soft rays; scaly sheath along bases of dorsal and mouth highly scaly sheath anal fins; pelvic fin I, 5; caudal fin protrusible deeply forked. Scales thin, cycloid, anal fin with II–IV, 13–14 moderately large, but deciduous. Vertebral counts 24. Color: body generally brilliant silver, with mals. moderately large cycloid scales on dark vertical bars or spots on body Similar families occurring body, and scaly sheath along the in some species. in the area. Gerreidae is dis- bases of dorsal and anal fins. Hae- Remarks. Occurring in tropical tinguished from the following mulidae, Lutjanidae, and Spari- to temperate marine and estuarine similar families in having strongly dae–mouth not highly protrusible. areas. Feed mainly on benthic ani- protrusible mouth, scaled head, (S. Kimura)

Gerres erythrourus (Bloch, 1791) Deepbody Silverbiddy Kapas Sungai D IX,10; A III,7; P1 15–16; LLp 35–38; GR 4–5 + 8–9. Body deep, compressed; anterodorsal profile almost straight. Dorsal and anal- fin spines strong; 2nd dorsal-fin spine longer than the 3rd; 2nd anal- fin spine robust, nearly the same in length of anal-fin base; caudal fin short, deeply forked, tips broadly rounded. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant silver ventrally, with indistinct dark longitudinal stripes along scale rows above and 4–6 rows immediately below lateral line; often 4–11 indistinct vertical narrow dark bars on side of body; anal and pelvic fins yellow. Size: maximum length about 37 cm. Dis- tribution: Indo-Pacific, from western India to Micronesia. Remarks: Gerres erythrourus, 7.0 cm SL inhabits soft bottom. Juveniles of- (from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) ten observed in estuarine waters. (S. Kimura) 53

Gerres oyena (Forsskål, 1775) Common Silverbiddy Kapas Laut D IX, 10; A III, 7; P1 15–17; LLp 35– 40; GR 3–6 + 8–9 (usually 8). Body oblong, compressed, anterodorsal profile convex. Posterior tip of maxilla extending beyond anterior margin of eye Second dorsal- fin spine not elongated; pectoral fins short, not reaching to anal-fin origin. Scales mostly absent on premaxillary groove; scale rows above lateral line 4. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant silver ventrally, sometime with faint dark Gerres oyena, 14.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) vertical bands laterally; tip of dorsal and caudal fins with black margins; a row of small dusky spots on dorsal-fin membrane near base; anal and pelvic fins yellowish. Size: maximum length about 25 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in tropical Indo-Pacific, from eastern coast of Africa to Caroline Is. and Samoa. Remarks: inhabits inshore, especially soft bottom area at depths shallower than 30 m. Marketed fresh or dried. (S. Kimura)

Gerres shima Iwatsuki, Kimura and Yoshino, 2007 Banded Silverbiddy Kapas-Kapas D usually IX, 10 (rarely X, 9); A III, Gerres shima, 11.2 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 7; P1 15; LLp 36–40 (mode 38); 3 ½ scale rows between 5th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; body relatively deep 40–46% (mean 43) SL; U-shaped premaxillary groove with several small scales anteriorly with growth. Body relatively deep. Color: body silvery with approximately ca. 14–18 indistinct vertical bars (less than ca. ½ width of pupil diameter); other fins hyaline or transparent in young but pelvic and anal fins and lower margin of caudal fin yellowish-hyaline in adults. Size: maximum length to about 20 cm SL but commonly 10– 15 cm. Distribution: southeastern Asia of western Pacific except Aus- tralia, and Andaman Sea. Remarks: commonly occurs in estuaries, and mangroves in juvenile, and then, in Gerres shima, 8.8 cm SL coastal waters in adults. This spe- (frrom Ambon, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) cies has long been confused with G. oyena or G. kapas, but G. kapas is a junior synonym of G. oyena. (Y. Iwatsuki) 54

HAEMULIDAE Sweetlips (Grunts)

Medium-sized (up to 120 cm), single dorsal fin with IX–XV, 11–26 oblong and compressed fishes. Lateral line continuous. Head almost entirely scaled, exclusive of lips, chin and tip of snout; mouth head scaled small or moderate in size, subterminal; lips thick in Plectorhinchus; chin with distinct pores; hind margin of lachrymal not exposed; ctenoid scales opercle with a single spine; teeth conical, forming narrow band in thick lips each jaw; teeth on outermost row of jaws enlarged, but not canine- anal fin with III, 7–9 like; palatine toothless; branchio- 2nd anal fin spine stegals 7. A single dorsal fin with strong IX–XV strong spines (2nd spine chin with pores usually very strong) and 11–26 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 6–18 soft rays; pelvic fin below from adult in color. in the area: Lutjanidae–subor- base of pectoral fin, with I spine Remarks: inhabit coastal waters bital area naked; palatine usually and 5 soft rays; caudal fin truncate including reefs, bays, and estu- toothed. Lethrinidae–no scales on or emarginated in adults, rounded aries, down to about 80 m. Car- preopercle; dorsal fin with 9–10 in juveniles. Scales small and nivorous, feed on small benthic soft rays. Nemipteridae–no pores ctenoid. Vertebrae 26–27. Color: invertebrates or fishes. Esteemed on chin; hind margin of lachrymal highly variable, appearing charac- as food fish, caught by spear, line, exposed. Sparidae–suborbital area teristic pattern (e.g., banded and and various nets; marketedfresh or naked; preopercular margin not spotted) in each species; in many salted. serrated. species, juveniles strikingly differ Similar families occurring (H. Motomura and K. Shibukawa)

Diagramma picta (Thunberg, 1792) Yellow-spotted Slatey Kaci Tebal Pipi D IX–X, 20–26; A III, 7; P1 16–18; LLp 55–74; GR 17–23. Body deep and compressed. Profile of snout steep; lips fleshy; chin with 6 pores; lower jaw without longitudinal groove at midline. Color: varying much by size; large adult silvery gray, with or without dusky spots; subadult pale gray with numerous bright yellow or dusky spots or lines on head, body and fins; juvenile with broad longitudinal Diagramma picta, 12.3 cm SL (photo by S. Tashiro) black bands on body. Size: 100 cm, commonly to 45 cm. Distribution: eastern Indian Ocean and western Central Pacific. Remarks: inhabits rocky and coral reefs and sandy bottoms. Nocturnal, forming small aggregations by day and dispersing at night for feeding; feeds on small Diagramma picta, benthic invertebrates. juvenile, 5.7 cm SL (photo (K. Shibukawa) by S. Kimura) 55

Pomadasys argenteus (Forsskål, 1775) Silver Grunt Gerut-Gerut Perak D XII, 13–14; A III, 7; P1 16–18; P2 I, 5; LLp 47–49. Body deep, compressed; head blunt. Lip fleshy, greatly swollen with age. Chin with 2 pores and a median pit. Circumpeduncular scales 21 or 22; 5 scales between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin. Cau- dal fin emarginate.Color: in adults, body silvery with dark blotches on dorsal fin and numerous scattered darkbrown to blackish spots on body side. Juveniles with body pale brownish, lighter below, back with irregular longitudinal streaks on Pomadasys argenteus, 13.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) alternate scale rows; dorsal fin with dusky membranes; a dark spot on gill cover. Size: commonly 40 cm, maximum 60 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea to Melanesia, northern Australia north to southern Japan. Remarks: found in coastal inshore waters in open bays and estuaries. Marketed fresh. (M. Matsunuma)

Pomadasys maculatus (Bloch, 1793) Saddle Grunt Gerut-Gerut Sebekoh D XII, 13–14; A III, 7; P1 17; P2 I, 5; LLp 50–52; GR 5–6 + 13–15. Body moderately elongate, compressed. Chin with 2 pores and a median pit. Posterior portion of maxilla Pomadasys argenteus, 29.9 cm SL slightly covered or not covered by (from Iriomote Island, Japan; photo by S. Kimura) lacrimal laterally in western Pacific population; largely covered by lacrimal in Indian Ocean population. Caudal fin slightly emarginate. Color: body silver with a large black blotch across nape, extending downward to below lateral line; 3 broken black blotches on upper half of trunk. A large dark blotch on membrane centrally between 2nd and 7th dorsal-fin spines. Size: maximum length 59.3 cm. Distri- bution: widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from east coast of Africa to southern Japan and northern Australia. Remarks: occurs in coastal inshore waters in open bay and estuaries to depths of less than 110 m. (H. Motomura) Pomadasys maculatus, 10.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 56

Pomadasys trifasciatus Fowler, 1937 Black-eared Grunt Gerut-Gerut Trijalur D XII–XIII (usually XII), 12–14

(usually 13); A III, 7; P2 I, 5; LLp 43–50. Body moderately elongate, compressed. Chin with 2 pores and median pit. Circumpeduncu- lar scales 19–23, 8–10 above lateral line, 9–11 below. Caudal fin slightly emarginate. Color: body silver with a black-brown spot on opercle; juveniles with 3 dark stripes on body, middle one wide, becoming faded or absent with growth; adults plain or with faint stripes. Size: maxi- Pomadasys trifasciatus, 11.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) mum length about 15 cm TL, commonly 10 cm. Distribution: Bay of Bengal to Sumatra, Bali, Australia, Gulf of Thailand and Philippines. Remarks: inhabits coastal inshore waters in open bays and mouth of rivers. (H. Imamura)

Pomadasys unimaculatus Tian, 1982 Red Patched Grunter Gerut-Gerut Pelana D XII, 13–14; A III, 7; P1 16–17; P2 I, 5; LLp 47–50; GR 3–4 + 12–13. Body moderately elongate, compressed. Chin with 2 pores and a median pit. Middle and posterior portion of maxilla largely covered by lacrimal laterally. Caudal fin slightly Pomadasys trifasciatus, 4.7 cm SL emarginate. Color: body silver (from Panay Island, Philippines; photo by S. Kimura) with a large dark brown blotch across nape, extending downward to lateral line; 4 small faintly dark semicircular patches on upper half of trunk. A large dark red blotch on membrane distally between 3rd and 6th to 7th dorsal-fin spines. Size: maximum length about 25 cm. Distribution: probably distributed throughout Southeast Asian waters. Remarks: occurs in coastal inshore waters on sandy and muddy bottoms. (H. Motomura)

Pomadasys unimaculatus, 8.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 57

NEMIPTERIDAE Threadfin Breams and Monocle Bream Medium sized (up to 35 cm), single dorsal fin with X, 9 moderately elongate fishes. Head compressed; eyes moderately large; jaws subequal, or upper jaw slightly beyond lower jaw; ctenoid hind margin of suborbital bone scales exposed; branchiostegal rays 6. Single dorsal fin with X spines and 9 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 7–8 soft rays; pectoral fin more or less falcate, with 14–19 soft rays elongate, pointed scale at base of pelvic fin anal fin with III, 7–8 (uppermost 2 rays unbranched); pelvic fin with I spine and 5 soft rays; caudal fin emarginated, lunate or forked, with filamentous and coastal to offshore shelf wa- soft rays; anal fin with III spines tip on each or both lobes in many ters with sandy or muddy bot- and 9–13 soft rays; no elongated, species. Scales ctenoid; cheek toms, down to about 300 m depth. pointed scales at base of pelvic fin. and operculum scaled; a pair of Carnivorous, feed on small fishes, Haemulidae–dorsal fin with IX– elongate, pointed scales at base of crustaceans, cephalopods, and XIV spines and 11–26 soft rays. Le- pelvic fin. Color: pinkish, yellow- polychaetes. Esteemed as food fish thrinidae–anal fin with III spines ish, grayish, or brownish dorsally, in many species; marketed fresh, and 8–10 soft rays; no scales on turned to silvery ventrally, with dried and salted, or minced for preopercle in Lethrinus (scaly in various-colored vertical bands or fish balls or fish cakes. other genera). Lutjanidae–no elon- longitudinal stripes on head and Similar families occurring gate and pointed scales at base of body in many species. in the area: Caesionidae–dorsal pelvic fin. Remarks: found in coral reefs fin with X–XV spines and 8–22 (K. Shibukawa and H. Motomura)

Nemipterus marginatus (Valenciennes, 1830) Red Filament Threadfin Bream Kerisi Filamen Merah D X, 9; A III, 7; P1 16; P2 I, 5; GR 12. Body moderately elongate, compressed. Posterior margin of suborbital and lower preopercular margin not serrated; suborbital spine absent. Ventral margin of orbit above a horizontal line through snout tip and upper base of pectoral fin. Pectoral and pelvic fins long; Nemipterus marginatus, 11.0 cm SL (photo by S. Tashiro) caudal fin forked, upper lobe produced into a short filament. Three transverse scale rows on preopercle. Color: body pinkish dorsally, silvery ventrally; with a broad yellow stripe, divided above pectoral fin, from below lateral-line origin to upper part of caudal peduncle; a 2nd yellowishorange stripe from above base of pectoral fin to lower part of caudal peduncle; a reddish spot below and just behind lateral- line origin; caudal fin including filament, reddish, its median rays yellowish. Size: maximum length 15 cm SL. Distribution: West Pacif- ic. Remarks: found on sand or mud bottoms in depths of 12 to 70 m. Nemipterus marginatus, 8.9 cm SL (M. Matsunuma) (from Nha Trang, Vietnam; photo by S. Kimura) 58

Nemipterus peronii (Valenciennes, 1830) Notchedfin Threadfin Bream Kerisi Merah D X, 9; A III, 7; P1 16–18; P2 I, 5; GR 9–12. Body moderately elongate, compressed. Posterior margin of suborbital and lower preopercular margin not serrated; suborbital spine absent. Ventral margin of orbit not reaching a horizontal line through snout tip and upper base of pectoral fin. First 2 dorsal-fin spines separated by a membrane; Nemipterus peronii, 7.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) membranes between dorsal-fin spines strongly incised. Upper lobe of caudal fin pointed. Pectoral fin not reaching a vertical through anal-fin origin. Three transverse scale rows on preopercle. Color: body pinkish dorsally, silvery ventrally, with 7 or 8 indistinct pink saddles reaching to or just below lateral line. A diffuse pale reddish spot below and just behind lateral- line origin. Size: maximum length 26.5 cm SL. Distribution: distributed in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf east to the Andaman Sea and Pentapodus bifasciatus, 4.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) the western Pacific. Remarks: occurs on sandy or muddy bottoms at depths of about 100 m. (H. Motomura)

Pentapodus bifasciatus (Bleeker, 1848) White-shouldered Whiptail Anjang-Anjang Dua Jalor D X, 9; A III, 7; P1 15–17 (usually 16); LLp 43–46 (usually 44 or 45). Body moderately elongate, compressed. Head scales reaching to between posterior and anterior nostrils. Suborbital naked. Lower limb of preopercle with 2 or 3 scale rows. Pelvic fin moderately long, reaching to or almost to level of Scolopsis taenioptera, 10.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) anus. Caudal fin forked. Color: upper part of body brown to dark grey, white on ventral surface; a narrow whitish stripe beginning above eye along base of dorsal Scolopsis taenioptera reaching to anus when deprresed; fin; a 2nd whitish stripe on back (Cuvier, 1830) caudal fin forked or lunate, upper above lateral line from behind eye Lattice Monocle Bream lobe not produced into a filament. to caudal peduncle; a 3rd broader Pasir Pasir Mentimun Color: head and body grayish dor- whitish stripe from snout to caudal D X, 9; A III, 7; P1 17–18; P2 I, 5; sally, silvery ventrally; orange or peduncle. Size: maximum length LLp 45–48. Body relatively deep, red spot at upper part of pectoral about 15 cm SL, commonly 10 compressed; body depth 2.7–3.1 in fin base. Size: commonly 15 cm, cm SL. Distribution: Singapore, SL. Suborbital with a large back- maximum 20 cm SL. Distribution: Malaysia, western Indonesia and wardly pointing spine; no antrorse the Andaman Sea and West Pacific. Philippines. Remarks: solitary or spine just below eye; exterminal Remarks: found in offshore waters groups; silty coastal reefs in 2–20 m edge of maxilla smooth; lower limb with sandy or muddy bottom in depth. (H. Imamura) of preopercular naked. Pelvic fin depths to 50 m. (K. Shibukawa) 59

LETHRINIDAE Emperors

Medium to large sized (up to single dorsal fin 100 cm), oblong and compressed fishes. Body compressed, covered strong canines with ctenoid scales; lateral line at front of jaws continuous. Cheek scales absent in Lethrinus, whereas present in the other genera; mouth terminal with pelvic fin axillary relatively thick lips; strong canines scales developed at front of jaws; either conical or molariform teeth on sides of jaws; no teeth on roof of mouth; bran- mouth terminal chiostegals 6. A single dorsal fin with thick lips with X spines and 9–10 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 8–10 soft rays; pectoral fin with 13–15 soft rays; pelvic fin below base trawls. commonly found in of pectoral fin, with I spine and 5 Remarks: Similar families occurring in coastal waters around coral and soft rays; caudal fin emarginated the area: Haemulidae–chin with rocky reefs, seagrass beds and or forked. Scales ctenoid, moder- distinct pores; scales on cheek. mangroves. Carnivorous, feeds ate in size. Vertebrae 24. Color: Lutjanidae–teeth on roof of mouth; on various organisms, e.g., fishes, head and body silvery, gray, and scales on cheek. Sparidae–usually mollusks, crustaceans, polychaetes, light or reddish brown, frequently more spines in dorsal fin; scales on and sea urchins. Esteemed as food mottled, spotted or striped with cheek. fish, caught by handline, traps and dusky, blue, yellow or red. (H. Motomura and K. Shibukawa)

Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepède, 1802) Pink Ear Emperor Landok Calit Merah D X, 9; A III, 8; P1 13; LLp 46–47. Body moderately deep, 35.7–38.5% SL. Dorsal profile of snout around eye straight. No scales on cheek; inner surface of pectoral-fin base scaled or naked; 6 longitudinal scale rows (including small scales beneath dorsal-fin base) between lateral line and base of middle Lethrinus lentjan, 13.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) dorsal-fin spine. Color: body grayish dorsally, silvery ventrally; whitish spot at center of each scale on body; posterior margin of opercle red; base of pectoral fin sometimes with red marking; caudal fin mottled. Size: 52 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in lagoons, coral reefs and seagrass beds; juveniles enter estuaries and mangrove swamps. Carnivorous, feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, polychaetes and fishes. Esteemed as food fish. (K. Shibukawa)

Lethrinus lentjan, 8.4 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 60

POLYNEMIDAE Threadfins Body elongate to moderately 2 dorsal fins well separated deep, compressed; size from about 10 to 200 cm. Snout obtusely conical, overhanging. Adipose eyelid adipose eyelid covering eye. Mouth ventral, near- horizontal and large; lip on upper jaw absent or poorly-developed; maxilla extending beyond level of posterior margin of eye; supramaxilla absent. Teeth villiform in broad bands on jaws, vomer, pala- lower pectoral-fin rays forming pecto- tines and ectopterygoids (vomer- ral filaments ine teeth absent in some species); canine, molariform or incisiform teeth absent. Seven branchioste- and 5 soft rays. Caudal fin deeply dinal dark stripes in some species. gal rays, 1 ray present on epihyal. forked. Scales weakly ctenoid, ex- Remarks. Taken over sandy or Two well-separated dorsal fins; 1st tending onto head; scales covering muddy bottoms in tropical and dorsal fin with VII or VIII spines; most of dorsal, pectoral, anal and subtropical coastal, brackish and 2nd dorsal fin with a spine and 11 caudal fins; lateral line extending frshwaters. Feeds mainly on crus- to 18 soft rays. Anal fin with II or onto posterior margin of caudal taceans and small fishes. Some III spines and 10 to 18 soft rays. fin; trisegmental pterygiophores species hermaphrodites. Pectoral fins divided into an upper absent. Vertebrae 10 precaudal and Similar families occurring in part with 12 to 19 rays joined by 14 or 15 caudal; supraneural bones the area. Pectoral fin and filament membrane and a lower part with 0 to 3. Color: silvery, golden or characters (see above description) 3 to 16 separate soft rays (pectoral brown. A large black spot at ante- distinguish Polynemidae from all filaments). Pelvic fins with I spine rior lateral line or several longitu- other families. (H. Motomura) Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804) Fourfinger Threadfin Senangin Rambu Empat D VIII+I, 13–15, 9; A III, 14–16; P1 15–19 + 4 filaments; P2 I, 5; LLp 71–80; GR 6–18. Body elongate, moderately compressed. Posterior margin of maxilla extending well beyond a vertical through posterior margin of adipose eyelid. Upper- jaw length 5.9–7.1 in SL. Anterior Eleutheronema tetradactylum, 19.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) parts of lower jaw with small teeth extending onto lateral surface, adjacent portion of lip absent; tooth plate extension onto lateral surface of lower jaw 11.1–14.3 in SL; vomer with deciduous tooth plates on both sides, except in juveniles. Lon- gest pectoral filament not reaching origin of anal fin. Swimbladder absent. Color: upper sides of head and trunk with slight darkish silver tinge, becoming lighter on lower sides. Anterior margins of 1st and 2nd dorsal fins blackish, remaining parts translucent and slightly Eleutheronema tetradactylum, 15.4 cm SL blackish, respectively; pectoral fin (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) vivid yellow (dusky yellow in large specimens over ca. 35 cm SL). Size: Gulf east to Papua New Guinea strata, and frequently enters brack- maximum length about 200 cm. and northern Australia. Remarks: ish waters, especially as juveniles. Distribution: distributed in the generally occurs on continental Sex changing male to female with Indo-West Pacific, from the Persian shelves on muddy and sandy sub- growth. (H. Motomura) 61

Polydactylus sextarius (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Blackspot Threadfin Senangin Buih Tanda D VIII + I, 12–13; A III, 11–13; P1 13– 15 + 6 filaments; P2 I, 5; LLp 45– 51; GR 25–30. Body moderately deep, compressed. Posterior margin of maxilla reaching to or slightly short of a vertical through posterior margin of adipose eyelid. Lip on lower jaw well developed, dentary teeth restricted to dorsal surface; teeth villiform in broad bands on palatines and ectopterygoids; vomerine tooth plate covered with skin and teeth absent. All pectoral- fin rays, except uppermost 1 or 2, unbranched. Longest pectoral filament not reaching to posterior tip of pectoral fin. Swimbladder atro- phied, like a fine string.Color: head and body silver. A large black spot anteriorly on lateral line. Posterior margins of 1st and 2nd dorsal fins and caudal fin slightly blackish, remaining parts translucent white. Pectoral-fin membrane dark yellow; pectoral filaments faintly white. Size: maximum standard length 17 Polydactylus sextarius, 12.2 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) cm. Distribution: distributed in the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans, from India east to Japan and Indonesia. Not occur in Aus- tralian waters. Remarks: occurs on sandy and muddy bottoms, being taken from depths of 16 to 73 m. (H. Motomura)

Polydactylus sextarius, 12.3 cm SL (from Terengganu, Malaysia; photo by M. Matsunuma) 62

SCIAENIDAE Croakers Small to large fishes, reaching dorsal fin continuous with deep notch 200 cm SL. Body moderately elongate, compressed. Body, except lateral-line scales extending snout tip, completely covered with onto caudal fin scales. Enlarged teeth always form outer series in upper jaw, inner series in lower jaw; vomer and palatines without teeth. Dorsal fin continuous, with deep notch between anterior and posterior portions; with VIII to X spines anteri- anal fin with 2 spines orly and I spines and 21 to 44 soft rays posteriorly; base of posterior portion much longer than anal-fin horn-like, tube-like, or arborescent muddy or sandy bottoms. base. Anal fin with II spines and appendages. Color: variable from Similar families occurring in 6 to 12 soft rays. Caudal fin emar- silvery to black; with spots and the area. The following combi- ginate to pointed, never deeply dark bands in some species. nation of characters distinguish forked. Pelvic fins with I spine Remarks. Occurs in coastal wa- Sciaenidae from all other families– and 5 soft rays. Lateral-line scales ters, estuaries and rivers. No re- anal fin with II spines and lateral- extending to posterior margin cords from oceanic island groups line scales extending to posterior of caudal fin. Swimbladder well distantly separated from a conti- margin of caudal fin. developed with thick wall, with nental shelf. Usually found over (H. Motomura)

Dendrophysa russelli (Cuvier, 1829) Goatee Croaker Gelama Janggut Tanda D XI, 25–28; A II, 7; P2 I, 5; LGR 8–10. Body relatively deep. Mouth inferior; posterior margin of maxilla not extending beyond a vertical through posterior margin of orbit. A pointed barbel on chin. Swimbladder carrot-shaped, with about 14 to 17 pairs of fan-like appendages along its sides; 1st pair entering head beyond transverse septum. Color: body gray dorsally, Dendrophysa russelli, 14.1 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) white ventrally. A dark brown broad band on nape. Opercle with a deep blue blotch. Spinous portion of dorsal fin faintly edged with black. Size: maximum length 25 cm SL. Distribution: distributed in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western central Pacific Ocean, from the Bay of Bengal east to southern China, the Philippines and eastern Indonesia. Remarks: occurs in coastal waters and estuaries. (H. Motomura)

Dendrophysa russelli, 11.2 cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) 63

Johnius macrorhynus (Lal Mohan, 1976) Bigsnout Croaker Gelama Janggut Muncung D XI, 27–30; A II, 7; P2 I, 5; LGR 5–9. Body elongate and relatively deep. Mouth inferior; posterior margin of maxilla extending beyond below middle of eye, but not reaching below posterior margin of orbit. No barbel on chin; upper rostral pores 5, marginal rostral pores 5; mental pores in 3 pairs, the 1st open close behind symphysis in a common Johnius macrorhynus, 13.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) pit. Swimbladder hammer-shaped, with 13 or 14 pairs of arborescent appendages along its sides, the 1st pair entering head beyond transverse septum and sending a pal- mate branch to the front of pectoral arch. Color: head and body silver, lower part of body with a golden tinge; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins yellow; a faint steel blue blotch on gill cover. Size: maximum length about 30 cm. Distribution: South China Sea, west to India and Paki- stan. Remarks: inhabits shallow coastal waters. (A. Arshad)

Nibea soldado (Lacepède, 1802) Soldier Croaker D X–XI, 27–33; A II, 7; P2 I, 5; LLp 48–51; LGR 7–12. Body relatively Nibea soldado, 21.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) deep; nape highly arched. Snout not swollen or projecting. Poste- rior margin of maxilla reaching a vertical through posterior margin of orbit; upper-jaw length 2.3–2.6 in head length, lower-jaw length 1.8–2.3 in head length. No barbel on chin. Scales on head cycloid, those on body ctenoid; small scales covering soft-rayed portions of dorsal and anal fins. Swimbladder carrot-shaped, with 18 to 22 pairs of aborescent appendages along its sides, 1st pair entering head beyond transverse septum. Color: body silvery with faint series of oblique stripes along scale rows. Soft-rayed portion of dorsal fin dark distally. Pectoral and pelvic fins yellowish. Size: maximum length 60 cm SL. Distribution: distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from India east Nibea soldado, 17.0 cm SL to Queensland, Australia. Remarks: (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) occurs in shallow coastal waters and estuaries. (H. Motomura) 64

Otolithes ruber (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Tigertooth Croaker Gelama Tengkerong Panjang D X–XI, 26–30; A II, 7; P2 I, 5; LGR 8–11. Body slender, cylindrical. Snout not swollen or projecting, its dorsal profile rising evenly to dorsal fin origin. Posterior margin of maxilla reaching a vertical through posterior margin of orbit. No barbels on chin. Teeth differentiated Otolithes ruber, 23.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) into large and small in both jaws, with 1 or 2 pairs of strong canines at front of one or both jaws. Scales cycloid, but a few ctenoid on lower part of caudal peduncle. Swim- bladder carrot-shaped with 32 to 36 pairs of fan-like appendages along sides, each appendage lodged be- side bladder and none widely lap- ping dorsal surface of bladder wall, 1st pair not entering head. Color: body brownish dorsally, silvery with a golden sheen on middle and ventrally, often with oblique dark streaks dorsally. Pectoral, pel- Otolithes ruber, 21.9 cm SL vic, and anal fins reddish or light (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) brown. Size: maximum length 70 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa east to southern China and northeastern Australia. Remarks: occurs in shallow coastal waters to depths of 40 m. Feeds mainly on prawns and fishes. (H. Motomura)

Pennahia anea (Bloch, 1793) Donkey Croaker Gelama Pisang D X–XI, 22–24; A II, 7; P2 I, 5; LGR 9–12. Body moderately deep. Snout Pennahia anea, 10.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) pointed, but not swollen or projecting. Posterior margin of maxilla reaching a vertical through posterior margin of orbit. No barbels on chin. Teeth well differentiated into large and small in both jaws, but none canine-like. Gill rakers slender, as long as gill filaments at angle of arch. Caudal fin truncate. Scales cycloid on head and flanks, elsewhere ctenoid. Swimbladder carrot-shaped, with 17 to 22 pairs of fan-like appendages along its sides, 1st not entering head. Color: body grayish light brown dorsally, becoming paler ventrally, with Pennahia anea, 14.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) increasing silvery reflection to whitish abdomen. Gill cover with a diffused dark blotch. Upper two- 30 cm SL. Distribution: widely dis- ern Indonesia. Remarks: occurs in thirds of spinous portion of dorsal tributed in the Indo-West Pacific, shallow coastal waters to depths of fin dusky. Size: maximum length from the Persian Gulf east to west- 60 m. (H. Motomura) 65

MULLIDAE Goatfishes Body moderately elongate and somewhat compressed (size to 50 cm). Mouth low on head; lower 2 dorsal fins separated jaw inferior; 2 long unbranched barbels on chin; a single flat spine posteriorly on opercle; margin of preopercle smooth. Two well- separated dorsal fins, the 1st with VII–VIII slender spines; the 2nd fin with 9 soft rays (1st unbranched); anal fin with I spine and 6–7 soft rays; caudal fin deeply forked; pectoral fins with 13–18 soft rays; pelvic fins with I spine and 5 soft anal fin with a single spine rays. Scales finely ctenoid; lateral 2 barbels on chin line complete, following the contour of back, with 27–38 pored scales. Color: ground color often a wide variety of small animals, barbels on chin; the species occur whitish to light red; most species especially crustaceans and worms. in deep water, about 200–400 m. with distinctive black, brown, The barbels, with chemosensory They are distinguished from the red, or yellow markings; median receptors, are actively moved over Mullidae by the following com- fins often with stripes or oblique or into the sediment to find food bination of characters: a single, bands. organisms. unnotched dorsal fin with IV–VI Remarks. Inhabit shallow seas, Similar families occurring in spines; anal fin with III–IV spines; on open sand or mud bottoms. the area. Polymixiidae–the only barbels inserted well behind tip of They are carnivorous, feeding on other family with a pair of long lower jaw. (U. Satapoomin)

Upeneus sulphureus Cuvier, 1829 Sulpher Goatfish / Biji Nangka D VIII + 9; A I, 7–8; P1 14–17; LLp 33–36; GR 8–9 + 19–21. Body moderately elongate. Chin with 2 short barbels, 1.4–1.9 in head length. Lachrymal region lacking preorbital scales. Both jaws, vomer and palatines with teeth. Second dorsal and anal fins with scaled area basally. Color: body silvery Upeneus sulphureus, 9.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) greenish or pink dorsally, shading to silver on side and ventrally, with 2 narrow, brassy yellow stripes on side of body; 1st dorsal fin broadly tipped with black; caudal fin lacking dark cross bands. Size: reaching to ca. 20 cm. Distribu- tion: Indo-West Pacific, including east coast of Africa, Indo-Malayan region, Japan, Australia and Fiji. Remarks: generally found on mud substrata at depths of 20–60 m. (H. Imamura)

Upeneus sulphureus, 7.6 cm SL (from Bitung, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) 66

Upeneus sundaicus (Bleeker, 1855) Ochreband Goatfish Biji Nangka Sunda D VIII + I, 9; A I, 6; P1 14; P2 I, 5; LLp 31–32; GR 4–6 + 19–22. Body moderately elongate and slender, its depth 3.55 to 4 in SL. Interorbital flat. Chin with 2 barbels which usually reach or extend slightly posterior to rear margin of preopercle. Opercle with small and weak spines. Mouth small, vililform teeth in a narrow band in jaws, on Upeneus sundaicus, 10.4 cm SL(photo by S. Kimura) palatines and in 2 small patches on vomer. Scales large, ctenoid. Spinous rays of 1st dorsal fin acute, higher than 2nd dorsal fin, 1st spine minute, the 2nd longest and strongest. Caudal fin forked. Color: body light reddishbrown dorsally, silvery white ventrally. One yellow stripe on body from eye to caudal peduncle. Dorsal fin with pale orange stripes; no bars on caudal-fin lobe, caudal fin brownishyellow with dusky lower lobe; pectoral fins pale yellow; pelvic and anal fins yellowish; barbels yellow; peritoneum pale. Size: commonly to 13 cm. Distribution: South China Sea, Indian Ocean and northwestern Upeneus tragula, 6.8 cm SL Australia. Remarks: found in mud (from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) or salty sand substrata at depth of 3–20 m. (S. Tafzilmeriam)

Upeneus tragula (Richardson, 1846) Freckled Goatfish Biji Nangka Mengkarong D VIII, 9; A I, 7; P1 13–14; LLp 28–30; GR 5–7 + 15–18. Body elongate. Chin with 2 slender barbels, usually not reaching rear margin of preopercle. Mouth small; villiform teeth in a narrow band in jaws, on palatines, and in 2 small patches on vomer. Scales present on side of snout; 4½ scales between dorsal fins; 10–11 scales along dorsal edge of caudal peduncle. Color: highly Upeneus tragula, 14.5 cm SL variable in color, from red, to ir- (from Mie, Japan; photo by S. Kimura) regular dots and blotches on body; a dark reddish brown to blackish stripe from front of snout to base fin with a large dark red to black and Palau, north to southern Japan. of caudal fin; head and body above blotch containing 2 to several small Remarks: found over sand and stripe brownish to greenish gray, yellow spots; 2nd dorsal fin with mud bottoms near coral reefs, to flecked with small dark reddish 3 dark reddish or blackish bands; the depth of 40 m; also common in brown or blackish spots; upper barbels usually yellow. Size: maxi- estuaries. Generally solitary, but lobe of caudal fin with 4–6 blackish mum length about 30 cm, common- forms small to moderately large ag- cross bands, and lower lobe with ly to 25 cm. Distribution: Indo- gregations at all sizes. 5–7; outer 3rd to half of 1st dorsal West Pacific: East Africa to Vanuatu (U. Satapoomin) 67

TOXOTIDAE Archerfishes Small to medium sized fishes (to single dorsal fin with IV–V, 15–18 about 50 cm); oval to rhomboidal- shaped, moderately compressed. Eye large, about equal to snout length. Mouth moderately large, protractile, with lower jaw protruding; a deep longitudinal groove on roof of mouth, which is converted to a tube when tongue is pressed against it. First gill arch with 2–8 gill rakers on lower limb. A single dorsal fin with IV– VI spines and 15–18 soft rays; a deep longitudinal anal fin with III spines and 15–18 groove on roof of soft rays; pelvic fins with I spine mouth and 5 soft rays: pectoral fins with 11–15 rays; caudal fin truncate to anal fin with III, 15–18 slightly emarginated. Scale moderate to relatively large and ctenoid, shores, estuaries, and fresh waters, the area. Pempheridae–snout extending onto head and median always in shallow depths. Exhibit blunt, dorsal-fin base short, posi- fins. Color: most species silvery remarkable feeding adaptation, tioned above pectoral fins; anal-fin white with a pattern of dark bars, knocking the preys, usually small base long, usually with more than large spots, or irregular stripes on insects, by squirting a jet of water 30 soft rays; occur in marine rather sides. from the mouth. than estuarine and fresh-water Remarks. Inhabit mangrove Similar families occurring in habitats. (U. Satapoomin)

Toxotes chatareus (Hamilton, 1822) Spotted Archerfish mpit-Sumpit D IV–VI, 12–14; A III, 15–17; P1 11–14; LLp 29–37; LGR 5–7. Body shape rhomboid, moderately compressed. Eye large. Mouth moderately large, protractile, with lower jaw protruding; longitudinal axis from tip of snout to caudal fin pass- ing through center of eye. Dorsal- fin spines usually V, 4th spine usually the longest. Scales in lateral line usually 29–32; horizontal scale rows above lateral line 3–5, below lateral line 9–11. Color: silvery white with 6 or 7 variably-shaped blotched along the sides of body; caudal fin pale yellowish; anal fin pale basally, outer half of the fin blackish. Size: maximum length about 50 cm, rarely exceeding 35 cm. Distribution: eastern Indian Toxotes chatareus, 15.9 cm SL Ocean and western Pacific, from (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) Sri Lanka and India to New Guinea and northern Australia. Remarks: inhabits mangrove shores, estuaries, and fresh waters. Feeds on ter- restrial insects. (U. Satapoomin) 68

DREPANEIDAE Sicklefishes Body very deep and strongly compressed. Snout short; scales absent in front of eye and on single dorsal fin with VIII–X, 19–22 preopercle. Mouth terminal and protrusible, forming a downward- pointing tube when protruded. A single dorsal fin, with VIII–X spines (the 1st small, procumbent), body very deep and and 19–22 soft rays, notched be- strongly compressed tween the spinous and soft-rayed parts; anal fin with III spines and 16–19 soft rays; pectoral fins elongate, falcate, reaching caudal peduncle, with 16–18 rays; caudal fin caudal fin round- rounded or bluntly wedge-shaped. ed or bluntly Color: silvery grey above, silvery wedge-shaped white below, with dusky spots or pectoral fins elongate, falcate, reaching caudal grey vertical bars. peduncle Remarks. Inhabit a variety of habitats including sand or mud bottoms, coral reefs, estuaries and anal fin with III, 16–19 harbours. Feed of benthic invertebrates, mainly crustaceans and worms. Similar families occurring in the area. Chaetodontidae and parts of dorsal fin. Ephippidae– profile concave. Monodactylidae– Pentacerotidae–mouth not highly pectoral fins short, not reaching mouth not highly protrusible; protrusible; pectoral fins not past anal-fin base; mouth not pro- pectoral fins shorter than head; much longer than head; no notch trusible. Scatophagidae–IV anal- eye centered on horizontal axis between spinous and soft-rayed fin spines; pectoral fins short; head through mouth. (U. Satapoomin)

Drepane longimana (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Sicklefish / Daun Baru Belang D VIII–IX, 19–23; A III, 17–19; P1 16–18; LLp 46–55; GR 6–8 + 10–12. Body very deep, strongly compressed. Snout profile straight or concave; mouth terminal and protrusible, forming a downward- pointing tube when protruded. Pectoral fins long, falciform, reaching caudal peduncle. Large adults with a bump or bony knob on interorbital region. Color: head and body silvery with 4–10 vertical dark bars usually visible on dorsal part of body from head to caudal- fin base. Size: maximum length about 50 cm. Distribution: temperate and tropical Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa and Red Sea to New Guinea and northern Austra- lia, north to Taiwan and Japan. Re- marks: occurs in inshore habitats, such as sand or mud bottoms, reefs and estuaries. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. (U. Satapoomin) Drepane longimana, 7.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 69

Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758) Spotted Sicklefish Daun Baru Bintik D VIII–X, 20–22; A III, 16–19; P1 16– 18; LLp 46–50; GR 5 + 10–11. Body very deep, strongly compressed. Snout profile straight or concave; mouth terminal and protrusible, forming a downward-pointing tube when protruded. Pectoral fins long, falciform, reaching caudal peduncle. Large adults with a bump or bony knob on interorbital region. Color: generally silvery with a greenish tinge on upper half of body; 5–10 series of black spots arranged in vertical lines on dorsal part of body from below dorsal fin to caudal peduncle. Size: maximum length about 40 cm. Distribution: temperate and tropical Indo-West Pacific, from Red Sea and east coast of Africa to New Guinea, Samoa, and northern Australia, north to Taiwan and Japan. Remarks: occurs in inshore habitats, such as sand or Drepane punctata, 19.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) mud bottoms, reefs and estuaries. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. (U. Satapoomin)

Drepane punctata, 3.2 cm SL (from Lombok, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura)

Drepane punctata, 10.9 cm SL (from Lombok, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) 70

CHAETODONTIDAE Butterflyfishes Small-sized fishes (to about 30 cm); body deep and highly com- single dorsal fin with pressed; oval to orbicular in shape. VI–XVI, 15–30 Eye moderately small. Mouth very small, terminal, protractile; snout produced to greatly elongate; scales ctenoid teeth bristle-like arranged in rows mouth very or bands across jaws. Preopercle small smooth without strong spine at angle; gill rakers short ranging from 9 to 25 in number. A single dorsal fin, continuous with VI– XVI strong, stout spines and 15–30 soft rays; interspinous membranes deeply incised; anal fin with III– V strong spines and 14–23 soft rays, margin usually rounded or anal fin with III–V, 14–23 sometimes angular; pectoral fins with 13–15 rays; pelvic fins with most diagnostic for species identi- spine at angle of preopercle; most I strong spine and 5 rays; caudal fication. of the conspicuous species (with fin rounded to slightly emargin- Remarks. Generally found on the exception of Centropyge) are ated. Scales ctenoid, small to me- coral reefs, usually in shallow wa- larger and more colorful. Sca- dium sized, extending onto soft ter above depths of 20–30 m. They tophagidae: dorsal fin with a portions of vertical fins; axillary are usually solitary or live in pairs, deep notch; IV anal-fin spines; scaly process present at base of but sometimes are found in large mouth not protractile. Zanclidae– the pelvic-fin spine; Color: greatly aggregations. Feed diurnally on the monotypic Zanclus cornutus variable and very brightly colored, coral polyps, colonial sea anemo- resembles some species of Henio- but common ground colors are nes, tentacles of tubeworms, small chus, but easily distinguished by white, yellow, orange, or brown; crustaceans, zooplankton, and al- a strongly produced snout, bony frequently with bars or stripes of gae. supraocular projections, and only black or brown; a dark eye-band Similar families occurring in VII dorsal-fin spines. often present. Color patterns are the area. Pomacanthidae–a strong (U. Satapoomin) Chaetodon oligacanthus Bleeker, 1850 Sixspine Butterflyfish (Ocellated Butterflyfish) Bagang D VI, 28–30; A III, 18–20; P1 14–16; LLp 34–44; LR 39–46. Body deep and highly compressed; snout slightly protruding. Lateral line incomplete, ending near posterior end of dorsal fin. Dorsal-fin spines increasing in length posteriorly; anterior dorsal-fin rays elongated; caudal fin truncate. Color: silvery white with 5 yellow to brown transverse bands; the anteriormost from top of head through eye to middle of chest, the next 3 on body, and the posteriormost across caudal peduncle; the 3 bands on body broader posteriorly and with yellow reduced, an ocellated black spot in dorsal part of the 4th band (the 3rd on body); the band across caudal peduncle bordered by white stripes. Posterior parts of dorsal Chaetodon oligacanthus, 4.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 71 and anal fins with yellow to brown from India eastward to Vanuatu, as Parachaetodon ocellatus (Cuvier, band that parallels bars on body. and from northern Australia north- 1831), Parachaetodon being a junior Caudal fin usually white to yellow- ward to southern Japan. Remarks: synonym of Chaetodon and C. ocel- ish translucent. Size: maximum inhabits in inner lagoons, estuarine latus (Cuvier, 1831) being a second- size about 18 cm TL. Distribution: area and seagrass beds at depths ary junior homonym of C. ocellatus East Indo-West Pacific, ranging of 2–60 m. Sometimes reported (Bloch, 1781). (M. Nakae)

TERAPONTIDAE Grunters (Tigerperches)

Small to medium-sized (to 35 single dorsal fin with XI–XIV, 8–14 cm) perch-like fishes; body oblong and slightly to moderately compressed. Mouth moderate, 2 opercular spines protractile, upper jaw not extending beyond center of orbit; jaw teeth usually in villiform bands, shape of teeth conical, flattened, or tricuspidate; vomer and palatines toothless in adults of most species. Opercle bearing 2 spines, the lower one larger and stronger; posttemporal bone exposed and expanded posteriorly, with anal fin with III, 7–12 posterior margin serrate in some species. Dorsal fin single, notched, with XI–XIV spines and 8–14 soft rays; anal fin with III and 7–12 soft cies with 3 or more dark, straight cally rounded; 3 strong spines on rays; pelvic fins inserted behind or downwardly curved longitu- opercle. Kuhliidae–dorsal fin with base of pectorals, with I spine dinal stripes on body; some with X spines. and 5 soft rays; caudal fin usu- dark transverse bands on lobes of Remarks. Coastal marine, ally emarginate. Scales adherent, caudal fin. brackish and freshwater in the finely ctenoid; lateral line single Similar families occurring in Indo-West Pacific. Several species and complete, reaching on caudal the area. Serranidae–mouth large, restricted to freshwater. Feed on fin. Color: body tan or light gray, with upper jaw typically reaching fishes, insects, algae, and sand- often silvery in life with various to below vertical through posterior dwelling invertebrates. dark markings; most marine spe- margin of eye; caudal fin typi- (U. Satapoomin) Pelates quadrilineatus (Bloch, 1790) Fourlined Terapon Kerong Empat Jalur D XII–XIII, 9–11; A III, 9–10; LLp 66–75; GR 16–18 + 22–27. A moderately small species; body oblong and compressed laterally. Pre- opercle serrate; lower opercular spine stronger and longer, but not extending beyond margin of opercular lobe; posttemporal bone not expanded or exposed posteriorly, covered with skin and scales. Color: generally silver in color, with 4–6 narrow, dark brown or black horizontal stripes on body; Pelates quadrilineatus, 10.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) spinous portion of dorsal fin with a black blotch dorsally between 3rd and 7th spines; a blotch of variable about 30 cm, commonly to 20 cm. cies often found in brackish waters; intensity behind head, posterior Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: common in estuaries. Feeds on to nape; caudal fin pale or slightly Red Sea and East Africa to New small fishes and invertebrates. dusky. Size: maximum length Guinea. Remarks: a coastal spe- (U. Satapoomin) 72

Terapon puta Cuvier, 1829 Small-scaled Terapon Kerong Padi D XI–XII, 9–11; A III, 8–9; LLp 70–85; GR 7–9 + 18–24. A small- sized species; body elongate and laterally compressed. Preopercle strongly serrate, with large spine at angle; lower opercular spine very long and strong, extending distinctly beyond margin of opercular lobe; posttemporal bone expanded, exposed and serrate posteriorly. Caudal fin emarginate. Color: body light gray or brown dorsally, tan or Terapon puta, 6.5 cm SL silvery white ventrally; 4 straight, (from Nha Trang, Vietnam; photo by S. Kimura) narrow dark brown longitudinal stripes on body; spinous portion of dorsal fin with a blackish blotch dorsally between 3rd or 4th and 7th or 8th spines; soft portion of dorsal fin with a black blotch along top of anterior rays; both caudal-fin lobes with dark tips and a transverse band. Size: maximum length about 15 cm, commonly between 11 and 13 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to New Guinea and Vanuatu, and north to Philip- pines. Remarks: inhabits inshore waters, sometimes entering brackish and freshwater and mangrove areas. Feeds on small fishes and invertebrates. (U. Satapoomin)

Terapon theraps Cuvier, 1829 Terapon theraps, 8.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Larges-caled Terapon Kerong Batu D XI–XII, 9–11; A III, 7–9; P1 14–15; LLp 46–56; GR 6–8 + 14–17. Body oblong, moderately compressed. Preopercle serrate, the serrations largest at angle; lower opercular spine very long and strong, extending distinctly beyond margin of opercular lobe; posttemporal bone expanded, exposed and serrate posteriorly. Spinous part of dorsal fin strongly arched and deeply notched; penultimate spine about half length of ultimate spine. Caudal fin emarginate with rounded lobes. Color: body dusky dorsally, silvery white ventrally; 4 dark brown horizontal stripes on Terapon theraps, 12.3 cm SL body; spinous part of dorsal fin (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) with black blotch dorsally on fin membranes between 3rd and 7th spine; caudal fin with median rays pigmented; each caudal lobe with 1 transverse stripe, upper lobe with Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from waters, sometimes entering brack- black tip. Size: maximum length East Africa and Red Sea to Solomon ish waters. Feeds on invertebrates about 30 cm, commonly to 20 cm. Islands. Remarks: found in inshore and smaller fishes. (U. Satapoomin) 73

LABRIDAE Wrasses A diverse group of fishes varying in body shape and size (usu- single dorsal fin ally less than 20 cm); body slightly to extremely compressed. Mouth terminal, slightly to extremely protrusible, usually with prominent lips; maxilla not exposed on cheek; teeth on jaws usually separated and caniniform, the anteriormost 1 or 2 pairs typically enlarged and often directed forward; pharyngeal jaws strong with pharyngeal teeth canines at front either sharp, conical, or broad and part of jaws molariform. A single, long-base dorsal fin in most species, with VIII–XXI spines (usually less than XV) and 6–21 soft rays; anal fin an initial phase of females, the lat- invertebrates, fishes, coral mucus, with II–VI spines (often III) and ter able to change sex into an often zooplankton, ectoparasites, and 7–18 soft rays. Scales cycloid and brilliantly colored terminal male algae. highly variable in size among spe- phase. Similar families occurring in cies; head never fuly scaly; lateral Remarks. Most common in the area. Scaridae–mouth not pro- line interrupted or continuous. shallow waters in a variety of trusible; teeth in jaws coalesced at Color: most species with bright habitats such as coral reefs, rocky base or fused into a bony, parrot- and intricate color patterns, includ- reefs, sand, seagrass, and algae, like beak, except a few species; lips ing stripes, bars, spots, blotches, but rarely found in muddy areas. continuous with facial skin, with- and ocelli. Most species change Wrasses are diurnal with diverse out an indentation. color and sex with growth, from feeding habits, including benthic (U. Satapoomin)

Choerodon oligacanthus (Bleeker, 1851) White-Patch Tuskfish Ketarap Tanda D XIII, 6–7; A III, 10; P1 14; LLp 29. Body moderately elongate and compressed; dorsal profile of head slightly convex. Preopercle with 7 transverse rows of scales, the scales extending anteriorly to below anterior margin of eye. Pelvic fin long, reaching near anal-fin origin; caudal fin truncate. Color: greenish brown with pale blue longitudinal lines (rows of blotches posteriorly) following scale rows along length of body; large sulphur yellow oval patch above pectoral fin with anterior and posterior smaller black blotches on its border; small black spot on anterodorsal part of caudal peduncle. Dorsal and anal fins with orange spots; bluish translucent pectoral fin with an orange stipe; caudal fin greenish brown with several irregular vertical rows of blue blotches. Size: maximum size near 35 cm TL. Distribution: Choerodon oligacanthus, 13.0 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) Central to West Pacific, from New Caledonia, Indonesia, Malaysia and curs in coastal sandy and seagrass 2–15 m. Frequently marketed fresh. Philippines. Remarks: usually oc- areas near coastal reefs at depths of (M. Nakae) 74

Halichoeres bicolor (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Brown-striped Wrasse Nuri Belang D IX, 11–12; A III, 12; P1 14–15; LLp 27–28. Body elongate; snout pointed; anterior teeth on upper and lower jaws enlarged to form canines; snout, cheek, opercle, and behind eye naked, scales on nape nearly reaching a vertical at posterior edge of orbit; lateral line complete; caudal fin rounded. Color: ground color of body pale Halichoeres bicolor, 9.8 cm SL (terminal phase; photo by S. Kimura) brown to olive in adults, greenish in small juveniles; 2 brownish black (in juveniles) or reddish brown (in adults) longitudinal stripes on side of body, the upper along back, the lower at mid-lateral from the edge of opercle to caudal-fin base. Head with a reddish brown band, edged blue, on side of snout from mouth to front edge of eye; an upward curved band on cheek below eye; a vertically elongate dark brown spot just behind eye followed by a single (in juveniles) or a pair (in adults) of horizontally elongate spots (as double thick dashes). Dor- Halichoeres bicolor, 6.8 cm SL sal and anal fins pinkish gray, each (terminal phase; from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) with 2 longitudinal series of pale to yellowish spots on soft rayed portion; in adult males elongate black spot, leaded anteriorly with bright yellow marking, present between 5th and 8th dorsal-fin spines; in juveniles an ocellated black spot present between 1st and 3rd dorsal spines. Caudal fin with several irregular vertical rows of pale yellow spots; an ocellated black spot slightly above the middle of caudal-fin base is distinct in juveniles. Size: maximum length about 12 Halichoeres bicolor, 4.9 cm SL cm. Distribution: Indo-Malayan re- (initial phase; from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) gion to Sri Lanka. Remarks: found in inshore, usually silty habitat on sand or mud near shallow reefs and seagrass beds. (U. Satapoomin)

Halichoeres bicolor, 6.8 cm SL (initial phase; from Ambon, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) 75

BLENNIIDAE Blennies (Combtooth Blennies, Sabertooth Blennies) Small, scaleless, often elongate fishes (most species much less than single dorsal fin 15 cm). Head usually blunt, often with cirri on eyes, nasal openings, nape, and/or cheeks; gill openings continuous across lower surface of head or restricted to small opening body with no scales on each side of head. Upper jaw not protractile; teeth incisor-like in single row in each jaw, often very fine and loosely attached; II reduced spines in anal fin canine teeth occasionally present; pelvic fins anterior to pectoral fins no teeth on palatines; vomerine teeth present or absent. Dorsal fin continuous or notched, usually estuaries, usually at depths embedded cycloid scales; scales with more segmented rays than much less than 20 m, mostly with radii in all fields; many more spines (III–XVII flexible spines among rocky, oyster, or coral dorsal-fin spines than segmented and 9–119 segmented soft rays); reefs, often in tide pools. Feeding rays; jaw teeth in more than 1 row. anal fin with II spines, often on a mixed diet of algae and Tripterygidae–body with ctenoid indistinguishable; segmented benthic invertebrates; some scales; dorsal fin clearly divided caudal-fin rays 10–14; pelvic fins are planktivores, and some are into 3 parts; many more dorsal- in advance of pectoral fins, pelvic- specialized to feed on skin or fin spines than rays; jaw teeth in fin spine not visible externally, fins of larger fishes, with mimic more than 1 row. Gobiidae and soft rays fewer than 5, sometimes as cleaner. Males attract gravid Eleotridae–body usually scaly; deformed or absent. Color: very females to lay their eggs in a small pelvic fins usually with I spine variable, dull to brilliant, full hole or crevice, or in underneath and 5 soft rays; dorsal fin in 2 well- spectrum; often mottled, with empty bivalve shells. The eggs are separated sections, the spinous irregular vertical bands or stripes, then guarded by the male or by portion with less than VIII spines, some species almost uniform. both parents. the segmented ray portion with I Remarks. Mostly bottom Similar families occurring in spine at beginning. dwelling species in sea and the area. Clinidae–body with fine, (U. Satapoomin)

Petroscirtes variabilis (Peters, 1855) Cloister Blenny / Bleni D X–XI, 16–19; A II, 16–19; P1 13–15. Body slender; head moderately pointed; posterior nostril usually with a short flap on anterior rim; cirrus on chin unbranched; other cirri on head variably present or absent; caudal fin slightly rounded with no prolonged rays. Color: variable, but often olive to green dorsally, shading to greenish yellow ventrally, densely mottled and spotted with whitish and dark ol- Petroscirtes variabilis, 6.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) ive; 6 large irregular dark blotches usually evident along upper side; some small blue spots sometimes visible posteriorly; dorsal and anal (Australia). Remarks: occurs in sea- are orange-brown while females fins with dark spots. Size: maxi- grass beds of shallow lagoons. Also are greenish dorsally and lighter mum length about 13 cm. Distribu- in Sargassum rafts during or im- below. Some color forms are prob- tion: western Pacific to Sri Lanka; mediately after wet season. Feeds ably habitat related. The plain form north to southern Taiwan and the primarily on small crustaceans is mainly green and has numerous Yaeyama Islands (Japan), south and occasionally on scales from tiny pearly spots and occurs in sea- to the southern Great Barrier Reef fishes. Sexually dimorphic: males grass beds. (U. Satapoomin) 76

CALLIONYMIDAE Dragonets

Small to moderate-sized (up to 2 dorsal fins body moderately depressed 45 cm), depressed benthic fishes. Body elongate, depressed or subcylindrical. Head usually wide and well depressed, triangular when seen from above in many species; gill opening restricted to a small dorsal or sublateral pore; preoper- preopercle with a strong spine cle with a strong spine; no spines no scales on body on opercle and subopercle; jaw with villiform teeth; no teeth on roof of mouth; upper jaw greatly and/or spotted with paler colored the area. Eleotridae–usually no protractile. Two dorsal fins, com- spots; some have entirely reddish preopercular spine; gill opening prising spinous (with III–V spines; body (especially in deep-water wide; scales on body. Gobiidae– rarely absent) and soft (with 7–10 species) or several vivid color with usually no preopercular spine; soft rays) portions; anal fin with complex patterns on head, body pelvic fins fused medially one 6–10 soft rays; pelvic fins thoracic, and fins. another in many species; gill open- with I spine and 5 soft rays. No Remarks. Found in seagrass ing wide. Platycephalidae–mouth scales on head and body. Color: beds, bays, coral reefs, estuaries, large, lower jaw projecting beyond highly variable, but dull sandy- and shelf waters, and commonly upper jaw; short spines, serrae colored in many species, e.g., head found on sandy or muddy bot- and/or bony tubercles on the head; and body grayish or brownish dor- toms. Locally utilized as food fish. gill opening wide; scales on body. sally, whitish ventrally, mottled Similar families occurring in (K. Shibukawa)

Repomucenus melanopterus (Bleeker, 1850) Darter Dragonet Bebaji Bintik Hitam D IV + 10; A 9; P1 16–19. Body depressed; transverse canal branch connecting opposite lateral-line canals on dorsal part of caudal peduncle. Head depressed; distal tip of preopercular spine inwardly curved. First dorsal fin slightly higher than 2nd dorsal fin, with no filamentous spines; all rays of Repomucenus melanopterus, 8.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 2nd dorsal fin unbranched, excepting last ray. Color: head and body brown dorsally, paler ventrally, with numerous dusky dots; many white lines on 2nd dorsal fin. Size: 10 cm. Distribution: Malaysia, Singapore, and Western Indonesia. Remarks: found in brackish estuaries and adjacent inshore areas with sandy-mud bottoms. (K. Shibukawa) 77

ELEOTRIDAE Sleepers Small to moderate sized fishes 2 dorsal fins with VI–X + I, 6–12 (up to ca. 85 cm, commonly to well developed sensory 20 cm), bottom-oriented fishes. papillae on head Body moderately elongate, more or less compressed posteriorly; no no pored or tubed pored or tubed lateral-line scales lateral-line scales on body. Teeth usually conical, forming some or more rows in each jaw; sensory-papillae rows pelvic fins separated well developed on head (and few anal fin with I, 6–12 on body and caudal fin); branchiostegals 6. Two dorsal fins, 1st one reefs. Carnivorous. Large species spines on 2nd dorsal and anal fins. with VI–X flexible spines, 2nd one often esteemed as food fish; some Gobiidae–pelvic fins fused medi- with I spine and 6–12 soft rays; freshwater colorful species often ally one another in many species; 5 pelvic fins separated, innermost treated as aquarium fish. branchiostegal rays. Platycephali- or preceding rays longest; pelvic Similar families occurring in dae–many short spines or bony tu- fin usually with I spine and 5 soft the area. Blenniidae–single dor- bercles on head; no spines on 2nd rays. Color: highly variable, typi- sal fin (sometimes deep notch dorsal and anal fins. Ptereleotr cally blackish or grayish brown developed between spinous and idae–bottom-oriented, free-swim- with dusky mottles, whereas some soft portions); teeth incisor-like, ming fishes, with elongate (but not species has brilliant color with e.g., forming single row in each jaw. eel-like) and compressed head and bright yellow and/or red spots. Callionymidae–preopercle with a body; 5 branchiostegal rays; mouth Remarks. Typically found strong spine; no scales on body; almost vertical in many species. in fresh and brackish waters, gill opening restricted to a small Tripterygiidae–3 dorsal fins. whereas some found in coral dorsal or dorsolateral pore; no (K. Shibukawa)

Butis koilomatodon (Bleeker, 1849) Mud Sleeper / Ubi-Ubi D VI + I, 8; A I, 8; P1 21–22; LR 25–28; PDS 11–15. Body relatively short, subcylindrical and compressed posteriorly. Head slightly depressed; bony interorbital serra- tion around dorsal margin of eye; jaws large, extending posteriorly to below anterior margin of eye; lower jaw protruding beyond upper jaw. Pelvic fins widely separated. Cheek and operculum with ctenoid scales; Butis koilomatodon, 5.0 cm SL (photo by S. Tashiro) no scales on interorbital area. Col- or: blackish brown, with indistinct 4–5 broad dusky oblique bands on body; anteroventral part of pectoral fin with a distinct black spot. Size: 7.5 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pa- cific. Remarks: found in tidal estuaries. Carnivorous. Often marketed fresh. (K. Shibukawa)

Butis koilomatodon, 6.3 cm SL (from Nha Trang, Vietnam; photo by S. Kimura) 78

GOBIIDAE Gobies Small to moderate-sized (up to ca. 60 cm, commonly to 10 cm), usually 2 dorsal fins with 0–X + I, 5–66 well developed sensory bottom-orianted fishes. Body papillae on head shape highly variable, but, typically, moderately elongate and more or less compressed posteriorly; no pored or tubed lateral-line scales no pored or tubed on body. Teeth typically conical lateral-line scales (flattened and incisor-like in some genera), forming a single to several rows in each jaw; minute sensory anal fin with I, 5–65 papillae well developed on head pelvic fins fused medi- (and few on body and caudal fin), ally in many species forming transverse or longitudinal rows; 5 branchiostegal rays. Usu- moderately large in size. Color: fins separated. Callionymidae– ally 2 dorsal fins, 1st one with 0– highly variable. preopercle with a strong spine; no X flexible spines, 2nd one usually Remarks. Found in various scales on body; gill opening re- with I spine and 5–66 soft rays; habitats from torrential freshwater stricted to a small dorsal or dorso- anal fin usually with I flexible rivers to shelf waters (to depth lateral pore; pelvic fins separated. spine and 5–65 soft rays; pectoral of ca. 500 m), but most common Eleotridae–pelvic fins separated; fin with 12–65 soft rays; dorsal- in brackish waters and shallow 6 branchiostegal rays. Platyce- and anal-fin spines usually nar- coastal waters. Large species may phalidae–many short spines or row and flexible; pelvic fins fused be esteemed as food fish; several bony tubercles on head; pelvic fins medially by frenum (between freshwater species may be treated separated. Ptereleotridae–bottom- spines) and connecting membrane as aquarium fish. oriented, free-swimming fishes, (between innermost rays), exclu- Similar families occurring in with elongate (but not eel-like) and sive of several coral reef genera the area. Blenniidae–single dorsal compressed body and separated with separated ones; pelvic fin fin (may be deep notch developed pelvic-fins; mouth almost vertical usually with I spine and 4–5 soft between spinous and soft por- in many species. Tripterygiidae–3 rays. Scales cycloid or ctenoid (with tions); teeth incisor-like, forming dorsal fins; pelvic fins separated. peripheral ctenii only), minute to single row in each jaw; pelvic (K. Shibukawa)

Acentrogobius caninus (Valenciennes, 1837) Tropical Sand Goby Belodok Lubang D VI + I, 9; A I, 9; P1 18; LR 26–27; PDS 16. Body moderately elongate and compressed. Head slightly compressed; jaws subequal; gill opening not extending anteriorly Acentrogobius caninus, 6.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) to a vertical through posterior margin of preopercle; single or some enlarged caninoid teeth on each side of lower jaw; tongue truncate. Pelvic fins united medially; frenum present. Scales ctenoid, excluding those on nape, pectoral base and breast cycloid; no scales on cheek; operculum may be scaled. Sensory canals and pores present on head; longitudinal pattern of sensory- Acentrogobius caninus, 8.8 cm SL papillae rows on cheek; aggrega- (from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) tion of sensory papillae just behind chin. Color: large ovoid black spot just above dorsalmost of gill open- body. Size: 13.0 cm. Distribution: in tidal estuaries with sandy-mud ing; 4 midlateral dusky spots on Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found bottom. (K. Shibukawa) 79

Arcygobius baliurus (Valenciennes, 1837) Isthmus Goby Belodok Genting D VI + I, 9–10; A I, 8–9; P1 15–19; LR 22–27; PDS 8–11. Body moderately elongate and compressed. Head subcylindrical or somewhat com- ressed; lower jaw slightly projecting beyond upper jaw; gill opening broad, extending anteriorly to be- Arcygobius baliurus, 6.1cm SL low eye. Pelvic fins fused medially; (from Panay Island, Philippines; photo by S. Kimura) frenum present. Scales on body ctenoid; predorsal area, cheek and dorsal part of operculum with large cycloid scales. Sensory canals and pores present on head; numerous transverse rows of sensory papillae on cheek. Color: head and body beige or grayish brown dorsally, paler ventrally, with indistinct dusky mottles; a conspicuous black spot, as large as pupil, at caudal-fin base. Size: 10.2 cm SL. Distribu- tion: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in brackish estuaries and ad- Boleophthalmus boddarti, 19.3 cm SL jacent bays with muddy bottoms. (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) (K. Shibukawa)

Boleophthalmus boddarti (Pallas, 1770) Boddart's Goggle-eyed Goby Belacak Bintik Biru D V + 24–26; A 24–26; P1 17–21; LR 61–79; PDS 25–35. Body elongate, compressed. Head subcylindrical; snout rounded; gape near horizontal; jaws extending to, or beyond, a vertical through middle of eye; gill opening not extending Drombus oligactis, 5.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) anteriorly to a vertical line through posterior margin of preopercle; tongue adnated to floor of buccal cavity; uniserial row of teeth on fins. Size: 13.5 cm SL. Distribution: frenum present. Scales ctenoid, each jaws, in addition to a single Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found excluding predorsal area, breast enlarged canine-like teeth internal on exposed mudflats in protected and pectoral-fin base with cycloid to anterior margin of lower jaw. bays and estuaries. (K. Shibukawa) scales; head naked, excluding oc- Pelvic fins united medially; frenum cipital area scaled. Sensory canals present. Cycloid scales on head Drombus oligactis and pores present on head; distinct and body; snout and chin naked. (Bleeker, 1875) transverse pattern of sensory-papil- Sensory canals and pores present Key Goby / Belodok lae rows on cheek; uniserial trans- on head; reduced longitudinal pat- D VI + I, 8–10; A I, 7–9; P1 13–18; verse row of sensory papillae just tern of sensory papillae rows on LR 26–29; PDS 14–17. Body mod- behind chin. Color: head and body cheek. Color: head and body beige erately elongate and compressed. grayish brown, with irregular dark or brownish gray, slightly paler Head slightly depressed; lower jaw mottles. Size: 7.0 cm. Distribution: ventrally; a series of 6–7 oblique projecting beyond upper jaw; gill Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found dusky bars on dorsal half of body; opening not reaching anteriorly in brackish estuaries and adjacent numerous bright sky blue dots to a vertical through preopercular shallow coastal waters. scattered on head, body and dorsal margin. Pelvic fins united medially; (K. Shibukawa) 80

Istigobius diadema (Steindachner, 1876) Black-lined Lagoon Goby Belodok Diadema D VI + I, 11; A I, 9; P1 19; LR 31–33; PDS 18. Body moderately elongate and compressed. Head slightly depressed; snout rounded, slightly projecting beyond upper jaw; lower jaw not projecting beyond upper Istigobius diadema, 8.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) jaw; gill opening not extending anteriorly to a vertical through preopercular margin. Pelvic fins united medially; frenum present. Scales ctenoid, excepting operculum, occipital region, breast and pectoral- fin base with cycloid; other part of head naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; longitudinal pattern of sensory-papillae rows on cheek; aggregation of sensory papillae just behind chin. Color: head and body pale grayish brown, with a distinct horizontal black band behind eye. Size: 10.0 cm SL. Dis- Periophthalmodon schlosseri, 18.7 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) tribution: eastern Indian Ocean, Andaman Sea and Indonesia. Re- marks: Found in mangrove areas and bays with sandy or muddy bottoms. (K. Shibukawa)

Periophthalmodon schlosseri (Pallas, 1770) Giant Mudskipper / Tembakul D VI–IX + I, 11–12, A I, 11–13; P1 16–19; P2 I, 5. Body elongate, posteriorly compressed. Mouth gape horizontal, snout very steep; a Periophthalmus variabilis, 6.7 cm SL reverse-triangular dermal flap on (from Andaman Sea; photo by U. Satapoomin) upper lip. Upper jaw with stout conical teeth in 2 rows anteriorly; anterior teeth on outer row long, canine-like; teeth on inner row co-existing with Boleophthalmus less than half length of innermost small. Eyes telescopic, protruding boddarti. Males built a burrow to rays; frenum present. Scales on but retractable. Gill membranes attract females inside the burrows head and body cycloid. No sensory joined to breast. Dorsal fins sepa- to spawn; a complete burrow with canals and pores on head. Color: rated. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral nesting chamber also observed, head and body gray brown with fin long, muscular. Pelvic fins com- probably used to deposit the eggs indistinct dusky mottles; first dor- pletely united by membrane with on the air trap surface of the dome sal fin with several reddish orange developed frenum. Scales cycloid, (Mazlan A. G. unpublished data). spots, in addition to a submarginal covering almost whole body except (Mazlan A. G.) grayish stripe; second dorsal fin isthmus. Color: head and body with a black midlateral stripe, greenish brown with distinct whit- Periophthalmus variabilis edged dorsoventrally by white ish mottles; black stripe dorsolater- Eggert, 1935 lines, and a yellowish distal mar- ally on head and body from eye Belacak gin. Size: 6.4 cm SL. Distribution: to below 2nd dorsal-fin base; first D VIII–XI + I, 11–12; A I, 10–12; P1 Andaman Sea and Western Pacific. dorsal fin with white margin. Size: 10–13; LR 48–60; PDS 17–22. Body Remarks: found in intertidal zone maximum length 27 cm TL. Distri- moderately elongate, compressed. of mangrove areas. This species bution: eastern Indian Ocean and Head slightly compressed; profile was confused with Periophthalmus western Pacific, from Andaman Sea of snout steep; dermal cup-like pro- novemradiatus, currently known to New Guinea. Remarks: mainly cess developed beneath eye; single only from India, until Jaafar et al. inhabits the soft bottom in muddy row of conical teeth on each jaws. (2009) concluded these two are dis- shores of mangroves and usually Pelvic fins nearly separated, united tinct. (K. Shibukawa) 81

EPHIPPIDAE Spadefishes (Batfishes) Body deep, orbicular and strongly compressed, reaching to 20 cm. Head short, its length shorter than single dorsal fin with V–IX, 19–38 half of body depth; interorbital region and anterior part of head naked or head covered with scales. Mouth small, rear end of upper jaw not reaching vertical through body deep, anterior edge of eye; upper jaw orbicular not protrusible; jaws covered with bands of slender setiform or compressed teeth. Dorsal fin single or deeply notched before soft-rayed part, with V–IX spines and 19–38 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 15–27 soft rays; pectoral fins rounded and usually shorter than head; caudal fin truncate or wedge shaped. Scales large and smooth, or small and ctenoid. Lateral line anal fin with III, 15–27 complete. Color: adults silvery, silvery blue-green, yellowish silvery; frequently with vertical dark bars. the area. Drepanidae–upper jaw dactylidae–pelvic fins rudimentary Remarks. Occurring in various greatly protrusible; pectoral fins or absent. Scatophagidae–dorsal shallow water habitats including elongate reaching posterior part fin notched or divided to base be- estuaries, harbors, and coral reefs. of anal-fin base. Chaetodontidae– fore soft rayed part, with XI or XII Marketed fresh but with small dorsal fin with VI–XVII spines and spines and 15–18 soft rays; anal fin commercial importance. 14–34 soft rays; anal fin with III–V with IV spines and 13–17 soft rays. Similar families occurring in spines and 15–24 soft rays. Mono- (K. Matsuura)

Ephippus orbis (Bloch, 1787) Spadefish / Beluru D IX, 19–20; A III, 15–17; P1 18–19; LR 39–43. Body orbicular, strongly compressed, head length less than half of body depth. Mouth small, upper jaw not reaching posteriorly vertical through anterior edge of eye; upper jaw not protrusible; jaws covered with bands of slender incisiform teeth. Preopercle distinctly serrate with a wide naked margin. Single dorsal fin with a deep notch before soft rayed part; pectoral fins shorter than head. Scales relatively large and smooth. Lateral line complete. Color: head and body silvery blue-green; 4 to 5 vertical dark bars frequently on body; fins dusky. Size: maximum size 20 cm. Distribution: tropical regions of the Indo-West Pacific from India to Indonesia, Philippines, and China. (K. Matsuura)

Ephippus orbis, 9.1 cm SL (photo by S. Tashiro) 82

Platax batavianus Cuvier, 1831 Zebra Batfish / Berbaharu D VI–VII, 28–31; A III, 19–23; P1 18–20; LLp 64–75. Body orbicular, strongly compressed, comparatively elongate in adults. Snout short, dorsal contour slightly concave with prominent bony sewelling in front of eye in large adults. Five pores on each side of lower jaw. Tricuspid teeth on jaws; middle cusp much larger than rudimental lateral cusps; a band of strong teeth on vomer but no teeth on palatines. Color: body light brownish silver with 2 vertical dark bands in adults, anterior one thorogh eye, posterior relatively faint, through pectoral-fin base; small juveniles brownish black with vertical white lines on body and fins. Size: maximum length 65 cm. Distribution: West Pacific from southern Viet- nam through Gulf of Thailand, Ma- lay Penisula, Boruneo-Kalimantan, Sumatra, Jawa to New Guinea and northern Australia. Remarks: found on or near reefs in adults. Juveniles appear with crinoids. Feeds on zooplankton and small bentic animals. (S. Kimura)

Platax batavianus, 5.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 83

SCATOPHAGIDAE Scats Body greatly compressed, reaching to 32 cm. Dorsal profile of dorsal fin XI–XII, 16–18 head steeply ascending to dorsal- fin origin; snout rounded. Mouth small, terminal; jaws not protrusible; villiform teeth in several rows on jaws. Eye relatively large, its diameter slightly shorter than snout length. Dorsal fin with XI or XII spines and 16–18 soft rays; body deep and 1st dorsal-fin spine procumbent; a compressed deep notch between spinous and soft portions of dorsal fin. Anal fin mouth small, with IV spines and 13–16 soft rays. not protrusible Pectoral fin with 16 or 17 soft rays. Caudal fin rounded in juveniles, truncate or slightly emarginated anal fin with IV, 13–16 in adults. Head and body covered with small cycloid scales. Color: head and body greenish or silvery with many black spots or bars. with III spines; jaws protrusible; soft parts of dorsal fin. Similar families occurring in pectoral fins elongate, reaching Remarks. Occurring in estuar- the area. Chaetodontidae–lack- beyond anal-fin origin. Pomacan- ies, harbors, and lower reaches of ing a deep notch between spinous thidae–preopercle with a strong, rivers. Marketed fresh but with and soft parts of dorsal fin; jaws backwardly pointed spine; no small commercial importance. protrusible. Drepanidae–anal fin deep notch between spinous and (K. Matsuura)

Scatophagus argus (Bloch, 1788) Spotted Scat / Kitang D XI, 16–18; A IV, 14–15; P1 16. Body quadrangular, strongly compressed. Dorsal profile of head steeply ascending to dorsal-fin origin; snout rounded. Mouth small, terminal; jaws protrusible; villiform teeth in several rows on jaws. Teeth villiform, making several rows on jaws. Eye relatively large, its diameter slightly shorter than snout length. Color: ground color of head and body greenish; juveniles with a few large round blotches being almost equal to eye in size, or with 5–6 wide dark, vertical bars; adults with less distinct dark blotches or markings. Size: maximum size 35 cm. Distribution: tropical regions of Indo-West Pacific from southern India and Sri Lanka eastward to Tahiti, and northward to southern Japan. (K. Matsuura) Scatophagus argus, 14.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 84

SIGANIDAE Rabbitfishes Body oval, strongly compressed, single dorsal fin with usually XIII, 10 reaching to 55 cm. Mouth small, recumbent terminal; jaws not protrusible; a spine single row of compressed, incisiform teeth on jaws. Dorsal fin with XIII spines and 10 soft rays, preceded by embedded, recumbent spine. Anal fin with VII spines and 9 soft rays. Pelvic fins with an inner and outer spines and separated 3 soft rays. Fin spines with a pair of grooves containing venom glands. Body covered with small, anal fin with VII, 9 cycloid scales. Color: species inhabiting coral reefs having bright shallow coastal waters. Some spe- by spear. Marketed fresh. color with reticulations and mark- cies found in coral reefs and others Similar families occurring in ings, and other species with drab in mangroves and seagrass beds. the area. Acanthuridae and Chae- mottled pattern. Primarily herbivorous. Caught by todontidae–I spine and 5 soft rays Remarks. Dwelling on bottom in bottom trawlers, traps, set nets and in pelvic fins. (K. Matsuura)

Siganus javus (Linnaeus, 1766) Streaked Spinefoot Dengkis Jawa D XIII, 10; A VII, 9; P1 15–17. Body relatively deep, its depth 2.0–2.3 in SL. Last dorsal-fin spine 1.2–1.6 in 4th to 6th spine. Except for short 1st spine, all anal-fin spines similar in length. Soft parts of dorsal and anal fins moderately high, longest anal- fin ray subequal to longest anal-fin spine. Caudal fin slightly concave. Color: dark bronze on dorsal half, becoming paler ventrally; many gun-metal blue spots on head and dorsal half of body; silvery blue undulating lines on ventral half of body. Size: maximum size 50 cm, Siganus javus, 14.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) commonly to 30 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific from the Persian Gulf through the Malay Peninsula eastward to Vanuatu, northward to the Philippines, and southward to northern Australia. （K. Matsuura)

Siganus javus, 6.5 cm SL (from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) 85

SPHYRAENIDAE Barracudas B ody elongate, slightly snout long and pointed 2 dorsal fins separated compressed, reaching to 170 cm. Head long; snout pointed. Mouth mouth large horizontal, large; lower jaw projecting; large, sharp flattened or conical teeth on jaws; usually 1 or 2 canine teeth on tip of lower sharp canines near jaw. Gill rakers, if present, as tip of lower jaw short spinules, 1 or 2 at angle of gill arch. Two short dorsal fins, ventrally. trawls. Marketed fresh, also dried- widely separated; the 1st with IV Remarks. Carnivorous pike- salted. spines located above or slightly like, pelagic to demersal fishes in Similar families occurring behind pelvic fins; the 2nd with I tropical and temperate seas. Most in the area. Atherinidae and spine and 9 soft rays. Anal fin with of members of the Sphyraenidae Mugilidae–having 2 separate II spins and 7–9 soft rays. Caudal found in coastal areas but also in dorsal fins and silver body, but fin deeply forked. Color: gray to the surface of open seas or down having a short snout and small blue, or light brown dorsally, with to depths of 100 m. Caught by mouth without canine teeth. silvery reflections, paler or white handlines, gill nets, set nets or (K. Matsuura)

Sphyraena pinguis Günther, 1874 Red Barracuda Kacang-Kacang D V + I, 9, A II, 9; P1 13–15; P2 I, 5; GR 2; LLp 80–94. Body elongate, subcylindrical. Snout long, pointed; Sphyraena pinguis, 11.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) posterior tip of maxilla extending beyond anterior nostril. Posterior tip of opercle sharply pointed just above level of pectoral-fin base. Caudal peduncle moderately compressed. First dorsal-fin origin well behind pelvic-fin insertion. A single row of scales in suborbital groove not covered with skin. Scales on body cycloid; scales above lateral Sphyraena putnamae, 14.8 cm SL line 7.5–9.5; scales below lateral (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) line 10.5–12.5. Color: head and body dark brown dorsally, silvery- white ventrally. A single longitudinal dark brown stripe laterally on body. Caudal fin brownish yellow. Size: maximum length 30 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa and Red Sea to eastern Australia, north to northern Japan, south to Sphyraena putnamae, 39.9 cm SL southern Australia. This species (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) invaded to eastern Mediterranean. Snout long, pointed; posterior tip chevron markings crossing lateral Remarks: inhabits shallow coastal of maxilla just reaching below line on body. Caudal fin blackish waters. Marketed fresh, salted and anterior margin of eye. First gill without white tips. Size: maximum dried. (S. Kimura) arch without gill raker. Last rays of length 90 cm. Distribution: widely 2nd dorsal and anal fins elongate distributed in Indo-West Pacific, Sphyraena putnamae in comparison with penultimate from East Africa and Red Sea to Jordan and Seale, 1905 rays. Caudal fin deeply forked. Vanuatu and New Caledonia, Sawtooth Barracuda Pelvic-fin origin anterior to origin north to southern Japan. Remarks: Alu-Alu Gigi Gergaji of 1st dorsal fin. Color: head and inhabits bays and turbid inner D V + I, 9; A II, 7–9; LLp 123–136. body dark brown dorsally, silvery- lagoons. Marketed fresh. Body elongate, subcylindrical. white ventrally. Many typical dark (S. Kimura) 86

TRICHIURIDAE Cutlassfishes Body extremely elongate and body extremely elongate and compressed compressed, ribbon-like (up to 2.5 single nostril m). Mouth large, not protracticle; strong canine teeth on jaws, those at front of upper jaw fang-like; minute teeth on palatines, none mouth large, with pelvic fins absent or on vomer. Single nostril on each strong canine redused to a scale-like side of head. Small spinescent gill teeth spine rakers present. Dorsal fin low and long, beginning shortly behind absent. Color: body generally me- local fisheries, especially in the eye, anterior part with spines and tallic silvery with blue tint, darker southeast Asia. Flesh tasty, but posterior part with soft rays, spin- dorsally; pectoral fin semitranspar- scanty in Trichiurus. nules part shorter than soft part. ent; dorsal and anal fins sometimes Remarks. Benthopelagic fishes, Pelvic fins reduced to a scale-like tinged with pale yellow. Usually usually found on continental spine in Tentoriceps or completely no distinct marks or blotches on shelves and slopes. Feeding on absent in Trichiurus. Anal fin low, body. Voracious predators dis- fishes, squid and crustaceans. or reduced to embedded short tributed in tropical and temperate Similar families occurring in spinnules. Caudal fin small and seas of all oceans. generally inhabit the area. Gempylidae–double nos- forked or absent like tapering to deeper waters of continental shelf trils on each side of head; 2 dorsal a point. Lateral line single. Scales and slope. Trichiurus important fins. (Y. Iwatsuki)

Lepturacanthus savala, 49.2 cm TL (photo by S. Kimura)

Lepturacanthus savala (Cuvier, 1829) diameter about 7–9 times in head lic reflection, tapering part white. Savalani Hairtail length and slightly longer than Dermal process of tip of both Timah Pucuk suborbital space. Mouth large with abdominal jaws dense black, and D II–IV, 110–120; A reduced to a dermal process at tip of each jaw. inside of opercle and anterior part small spinules around 75 break- Two or three fangs with barbs and of shoulder girdle pale black. Size: ing through skin. Body extremely 2 small forwarded directed canine maximum around 100 cm TL, com- elongate and strongly compressed, teeth present in upper jaw, anteri- monly 30–50 cm TL. Distribution: ribbon-like, tapering to a point, ormost fangs present at tip of lower Indo-West Pacific: eastern Pakistan, showing a very long caudal-taper- jaw. Lateral line nearer ventral India and Sri Lanka to tropical and ing part. Snout long, about 2.0–2.5 than dorsal contour of body. Color: subtropical western Pacific. times in head length; eye small, its Body steeply blue, with metal- (Y. Iwatsuki) 87

SCOMBRIDAE Mackerels and Tunas

Medium to large sized marine 2 dorsal fins separated fishes, maximum size over 5 m. finlets present behind Body relatively elongate and dorsal and anal fins fusiform, moderately compressed. Snout pointed, upper jaw not protrusible. Caudal peduncle slender with 2 or more lateral keels on each side. Two dorsal fins, the 1st usually short based with IX– lateral keels on XXVII spines, separated from or caudal peduncle apparently contiguous to the 2nd. Finlets (5–12 each) present behind ventrally. Usually dark vertical or having lateral line on body, 2nd dorsal and anal fins. Caudal longitudinal bands and/or spots pelvic fins below pectoral fins, fin deeply forked. Pectoral fins on sides. and unprotrusible upper jaw. inserted high on body. Pelvic fins Remarks. Typical pelagic fishes; Carangidae–dorsal-fin spines III– relatively small with I spine and 5 smaller fishes usually inhabits VIII; II detached anal-fin spines; soft rays, located below pectoral inshore waters; large tunas, scutes developed along posterior fins. Body covered with small Thunnus, transoceanic migrants. part of lateral line in most species. to medium cycloid scales or a Important food fishes. Gempylidae–body dark brown corselet developed on area behind Similar families occurring to brown dorsally without head and pectoral fins. Lateral line in the area. Scombridae is distinct marks or blotches; no present. Color: body dark blue or distinguished from other Indo- keels on caudal peduncle except dark green dorsally, silvery white Pacific perciform fishes in Lepidocybium. (S. Kimura)

Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1816) Indian Mackerel Kembung Borek D VIII–XI + 11–13; A I, 11–12; P1 19–22; LGR 30–46. Body slightly deep, compressed. Head longer than body depth. Maxilla covered by lacrimal bone. Adipose eyelid well developed. Gill rakers very long, visible when mouth opened. Caudal-fin base with 2 small lateral keels. Two dorsal fins widely separated. Anal-fin spine Rastrelliger kanagurta, 15.8 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) rudimentary. Five or six dorsal and anal finlets. Pectoral fins short; a small single flap between pelvic fins (interpelvic process). Body covered with small scales. Color: head and body bluish green dorsally, silvery-white ventrally. One or two rows of small, dark spots dorsolaterally on body. First dorsal, caudal and pectoral fins yellowish. Size: maximum length 35 cm FL. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa and Red Sea to Samoa, north to southern Japan. Remarks: found in coastal waters. Rastrelliger kanagurta, 25.2 cm SL Feeds on macrozooplanktons. (from Bitung, Indonesia; photo by S. Kimura) Marketed fresh, dried, salted, and smoked. (S. Kimura) 88

STROMATEIDAE Butterfishes Medium sized marine fishes, maximum size about 60 cm. Body mouth small, not strongly deep and compressed. protractile Snout short, blunt. Mouth small, terminal or slightly inferior, not protractile. Teeth on jaws uniserial, caudal fin forked or small and flattened with 3 minute emarginate cusps. No teeth on vomer or palatines. Gill membranes joined to breast (Pampus) or not usually connected to isthmus (Peprilus and Stromateus). Branchiostegal no pelvic fins rays 5 or 6. Caudal peduncle short in adults and compressed with no scutes or keels. Dorsal fin single, anal fin similar in shape to dorsal fin. Caudal fin forked or emarginate. mainly on zooplanktons. Three niger, very similar in shape to Pectoral fins long. Pelvic fins absent genera, Pampus (Indo-West Pacifc), Pampus, having small scutes along in adults. Body covered with small Peprilus (western Atlantic and posterior part of lateral line; gill cycloid scales. Lateral line single eastern Pacific), and Stromateus membrane not united to isthmus. dorsolaterally on body. Color: body (Atlantic and eastern Pacific). Centrophidae–pelvic fins present; silvery white, dark brownish in Important food fishes. 7 branchiostegals. Nomeidae–2 some species. Similar families occurring in the dorsal fins; pelvic fins present. Remarks. Coastal fishes, feeds area. Carangidae–Parastromateus (S. Kimura)

Pampus chinensis (Euphrasen, 1788) Chinese Silver Pomfret Bawal Tambak

D 43–50; A 39–42; P1 24–27; GR 11–14; V 33. Body oval, deep, strongly compressed. Gill opening short, slit-like. Gill rakers slender, needle- like. Anterior dorsal and anal fins not falcate. Caudal fin emargenate. Sensory canal area on temporal extending backward along lateral line. Color: body grayish brown, abdomen paler. Size: maximum length 40 cm SL. Distribution: Indo- West Pacific, from Percian Gulf to easern Indonesia. Remarks: found in inshore waters over muddy bottom. Marketed fresh. (S. Kimura)

Pampus chinensis, 19.1 cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) 89

Pampus cinereus (Bloch, 1795) Longfin Pomfret Bawal Tambak D VII–X + 37–42, A V–X + 34–41;

P1 20–24; GR 0–3 + 2–9, V 14–16 + 21–22 = 35–37. Body oval to rhomboidal, deep, strongly compressed. Mouth small, subterminal, shorter than snout. Jaws with uniserial, minute, slender conical teeth. Gill membranes joined to breast; gill opening short. Gill rakers degener- ated, tubercular. Dorsal and anal fins similar in shape, falcate anteriorly, preceded by embedded short spines in adults. Caudal fin deeply forked, lower lobe often extended especially in juveniles. Pectoral fin long, fan-like. Scales small, cycloid. Sensory canal area on temporal slightly extending backward along Pampus cinereus, 14.5 cm SL lateral line. Color: head and body (from Port Dickson, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) dark brownish silver dorsally, silvery white ventrally. Margins of unpaired fins dark. Size: maximum length 19 cm SL. Distribu- tion: Indo-West Pacific, from India to Malaysia, north to Yellow Sea. Remarks: identification followed Liu et al. (2013a, b). Two morphot- ypes are recognized in this species; one with round snout and lower body depth (collected from Johor Strait and Port Dickson, Malaysia), another with angular or pointed snout and higher body depth. Found in coastal waters over sandy or muddy bottom. Marketed fresh. (S. Kimura)

Pampus cinereus, 13.9 cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) 90

PSETTODIDAE Spiny Turbots Marine flatfishes in middle size, anterior dorsal-fin rays spinous maximum size ca. 80 cm. Body oval, caudal peduncle deeper than its length. Eyes on right or left side of head. Mouth large, extend- dorsal fin not ing well beyond posterior margin extending to of lower eye. Teeth on jaws large head canines, many with barbed tips; vomer and palatine with teeth. Margin of preopercle distinct, not covered with skin. Dorsal- fin origin well posterior to upper pelvic fins eye. Anterior rays of dorsal and with I spine anal fins spinous. Pelvic fin with I anterior anal-fin rays spinous spine and 5 soft rays, nearly sym- metrically placed on each sides of belcheri Bennett, 1831 and P. bennet- spine; lateral line highly arched midventral line. Caudal fin with tii Steindachner, 1870) from west- above pectoral fin. Bothidae– 15 branched rays, separated from ern Africa. Occurring in coastal pelvic fin without spine; origin of dorsal and anal fins. Lateral line waters. Food fish. pelvic fin on eyed side anterior on both sides of body, only slight- Similar family occurring in the to that on blind side; lateral line ly curved above pectoral fin. Weak area. Psettodidae differs from all highly arched above pectoral fin. ctenoid scales covering both sides other flatfish families in having Samaridae–pelvic fin on blind of body. Vertebrae usually 10 + 14 dorsal-fin origin well posterior side absent. Soleidae–pelvic fin = 24. Color: ocular side brownish, to upper eye, and anterior rays without spine; origin of pelvic fin blind side pale brown. of dorsal and anal fin spinous. on eyed side anterior to that on Remarks. Single genus, Pset- Citharidae–lateral line highly blind side. Cynoglossidae–caudal todes, with 1 species (P. erumeri) arched above pectoral fin. Para- fin continuous with dorsal and from Indo-West Pacific and 2 (P. lichthyidae–pelvic fin without anal fins. (H. Imamura)

Psettodes erumei (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Indian Halibut / Togok D IX–XI, 38–45; A I, 33–43; P1 14–16; P2 I, 5; LL 61–77. Body oval, strongly compressed. Eyes on right or left side of head. Mouth large, extending well beyond posterior margin of lower eye. Teeth on jaws large canines; vomer and palatine with small conical teeth. Anterior rays of dorsal and anal fins spinous. Cau- dal fin separated from dorsal and anal fins. Lateral line on both sides Psettodes erumei, 15.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) of body, only slightly curved above pectoral fin. Scales on small, weakly ctenoid on both sides of body. Color: eyed side generally brownish or grayish, sometimes with 4 or 5 broad dark cross bands; dorsal, anal, posterior portion of caudal fins darker; blind side pale brown. Size: maximum length about 60 cm TL, most commonly 20–40 cm TL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa and Red Sea to northern Australia, north to Tai- wan. Remarks: found on sandy and muddy bottoms. Marketed fresh. (H. Imamura) Psettodes erumei, 15.3 cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) 91

PARALICHTHYIDAE Sand Flounders Body elliptical to oval, strongly compressed, reaching to 40 cm. eyes on Head large, 3.0–4.4 in SL. Mouth left side rather large. Teeth uniserial on both jaws. Eyes on left side of head, separated by a bony ridge. Margin of preopercle distinct, not covered with skin. Dorsal-fin ori- pectoral fin rays on ocular gin anterior to eyes. Anterior rays side branched of dorsal and anal fins not spinous. Pelvic fin without spines; pelvic- fin bases on both sides short, sub- pelvic fin bases short equal and subsymmetrical in posi- and subsymmetrical tion. Caudal fin separated from dorsal and anal fins. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of Remarks. Most species known lateral line slightly curved above body, with high arch above pecto- from shallow sandy and muddy pectoral fin. Citharidae–pelvic fin ral fin and supratemporal branch, bottoms of continental shelf; some with I spine. Bothidae–origin of running upward to anterior part of species from brackish waters near pelvic fin on eyed side anterior dorsal fin. Body scales large; cte- river mouths. to that on blind side. Samaridae– noid scales on eyed side, weakly Similar family occurring in the pelvic fin on blind side absent. ctenoid or cycloid scales on blind area. Psettodidae–dorsal-fin origin Soleidae–eyes on left side of head. side. Color: body brownish or well posterior to upper eye; an- Cynoglossidae–caudal fin con- light greenish with dark spots or terior rays of dorsal and anal fins tinuous with dorsal and anal fins. rings. spinous; pelvic fin with I spine; (H. Imamura)

Pseudorhombus arsius (Hamilton, 1822) Largetooth Flounder Sebelah Gigi Besar D 71–84; A 53–62; P1 12–13 (eyed side); LL 69–81. Body oval. Head 3.3–3.6 in SL; upper profile of head with a slight notch anterior to upper eye. Upper jaw extending to below posterior margin of lower eye. Several pairs of moderately large canine teeth on anterior part of both jaws. Scales ctenoid on eyed side, cycloid on blind side. Color: body greenish or light brown; a dark blotch at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line; a smaller blotch halfway to caudal- fin base. Size: maximum length 45 cm SL, commonly to 30 cm SL. Distribution: widespread in Indo- Pseudorhombus arsius, 17.5 cm SL West Pacific, from eastern coast of (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) Africa eastward to Australia and Fiji. Remarks: found from shallow muddy-sandy or muddy bottoms from coastal areas to river mouths. (H. Imamura) 92

Pseudorhombus javanicus (Bleeker, 1853) Javan Flounder Sebelah Jawa D 67–76; A 51–56; P1 11–12 (eyed side); LL 66–74. Body oval. Head 3.2–3.6 in SL; upper profile of head without notch anterior to upper eye. Upper jaw extending to below middle of lower eye. Teeth on both jaws small, with slightly enlarged teeth anteriorly. Scales ctenoid on anterior part, and dorsal and ventral margins of body of eyed side; those on other areas of eyed side and blind side cycloid. Color: body Pseudorhombus javanicus, 14.5 cm SL (photo by S. Tashiro) brownish, with a distinct, large dark blotch at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line, and a smaller blotch on middle of straight section of lateral line. Size: maximum length 35 cm SL, commonly to 20 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from eastern coast of India eastward to western New Guinea and to southern Chi- na. Remarks: found from shallow waters on mud and sand bottoms of continental shelf. (H. Imamura)

Pseudorhombus malayanus Bleeker, 1865 Malayan Flounder Sebelah Malaya Pseudorhombus malayanus, 16.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) D 72–74; A 58–59; P1 12–13 (eyed side); LL 70–78. Body deeply oval. Head 3.1–3.3 in SL; upper profile of head with a slight notch anterior to upper eye. Upper jaw extending to below posterior margin of lower eye. Teeth on upper jaw small and close-set laterally, and enlarged anteriorly; teeth on lower jaw stronger and more widely spaced than those on upper jaw. Scales ctenoid on both sides of body. Color: body brownish, with a small dark blotch at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line. Size: maximum length 35 cm SL, commonly to 20 Pseudorhombus neglectus, 12.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from Persian Gulf to Malay Archipelago and to Philippines. Head 3.5–3.6 in SL; upper profile ish, with small ocelli at junction of Remarks: inhabits shallow waters of head without a distinct notch or straight and curved parts of lateral on mud and sand bottoms. with a slight notch anterior to up- line, and another one near middle (H. Imamura) per eye. Upper jaw extending to be- of straight section. Size: maximum low or beyond middle of lower eye. length 25 cm S. Distribution: Pseudorhombus neglectus Teeth on upper jaw small, slightly known from eastern Indian Ocean Bleeker, 1865 enlarged anteriorly; teeth on lower to West Pacific. Remarks: found Neglected Flounder jaw larger and more widely spaced from shallow waters on mud and Sebelah Garis Dwitanda than those on upper jaw. Scales sand bottoms of continental shelf, D 72–75; A 56–59; P1 12–13 (eyed ctenoid on eyed side, cycloid on at depths of 30–40 m. side); LL 77–79. Body elliptical. blind side. Color: body pale brown- (H. Imamura) 93

SOLEIDAE Soles Marine flatfishes (excepting 1 dorsal fin extending species entering rivers in Africa), far forward on head reaching to 32 cm. Body somewhat elongate to oval, strongly compressed. Mouth small and eyes on asymmetrical, terminal or slightly right side inferior. Eyes on right side of head. Preopercle without free margin, lateral line single, straight embedded in skin. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to upper eye. Anterior rays of dorsal and anal fins not spinous. Pectoral fins sometimes absent; when present, eyed side pectoral fin usually longer than blind side pectoral fin. Pelvic fins without spines, sometimes asymmetrical, either free or fused with anal fin. Caudal fin separated formly yellowish or white on blind clar margin. Psettodidae–dorsal- from or fused with dorsal and side of body. fin origin well posterior to upper anal fins. Lateral line single, run- Remarks. Inhabits muddy and eye; anterior rays of dorsal and ning straight on body, sometimes sandy bottom in coastal areas. anal fins spinous; pelvic fin with I branched on head. Color: highly About 35 genera with about 130 spine; lateral line slightly curved variable according to substratum, species. above pectoral fin. Citharidae–pel- uniformly dull brown to strikingly Similar family occurring in the vic fin with 1 spine. Paralichthy- colored with scattered black spots area. Soleidae differs from all other idae, Bothidae and Cynoglossidae– or blotches or dark cross bands flatfish families, except for Cyno- eyes on left side of head. on eyed side of body; usually uni- glossidae, in lacking free preoper- (H. Imamura)

Dagetichthys commersonnii (Lacepède, 1802) Commerson’s Sole Lidah Daun Tirus D 70–83; A 59–65; C 12; LL 124–172. Body elongate, tapering posteriorly. Mouth curved. Eyes separated by a small concave interorbital space. Pectoral fins symmetrical in size. Pelvic fins short and bases asymmetrical in position. Caudal fin continuous with dorsal and anal fins. Scales ctenoid on eyed side, Dagetichthys commersonii, 19.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) cycloid on blind side. Color: body on eyed side gray or brown; dorsal, anal and caudal fins dusky towards edges of both sides and with a conspicuous white margin; right pectoral fin dusky. Size: maximum length about 32 cm TL, commonly 20–30 cm TL. Distribution: Indo- West Pacific, including Pakistan, Gulf of Thailand, Borneo and In- donesia. Remarks: inhabits mainly sand or mud bottoms in coastal waters. (H. Imamura) Dagetichthys commersonii, 16.9 cm SL (from Selangor, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) 94

Solea ovata Richardson, 1846 Cockatoo Righteye Flounder Lidah Sirih D 65; A 47. Body ovate. Mouth small, curved. Eyes separated by a small concave interorbital space. Pectoral fin on eyed side about twice as long as that on blind side. Pelvic fins present on both sides. Caudal fin separated from dorsal and anal fins. Scales ctenoid on both sides. Color: body and fins on eyed side olive or brown with spots and black blotches; deep black blotches on outer ⅔ of pectoral fins. Size: maximum length about 10 cm Solea ovata, 7.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) TL, commonly 8–9 cm TL. Distri- bution: Indo-West Pacific, including Pakistan, New Guinea, Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and China. Remarks: found from shallow sand or mud bottoms in coastal waters. (H. Imamura)

Zebrias quagga (Kaup, 1858) Zebra Sole / Lidah Belang D 60–75; A 50–62. Body elliptical. Mouth small, terminal, slightly curved. Eyes contiguous, each with a short tentacle. Pectoral fins well developed. Pelvic fin separated from anal fin. Caudal fin con- Solea ovata, 6.3 cm SL (photo by H. Motomura) tinuous with dorsal and anal fins. Scales ctenoid. Color: eyed side cream or beige with 11–12 brown single or double cross-bands, slightly wider than interspaces; body pattern continued onto dorsal and anal fins; caudal fin cream with elongate black blotches. Size: maximum length 15 cm. Distribu- tion: Indo-West Pacific, including Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Australia. Re- marks: found from mud and sand bottoms in shallow coastal waters. (H. Imamura) Zebrias quagga, 9.5 cm SL(photo by S. Kimura)

Zebrias quagga, 6.6 cm SL (from Nha Trang; photo by S. Kimura) 95

CYNOGLOSSIDAE Tonguefishes

Marine flatfishes (some species eyes on dorsal and anal fins entering freshwater), reaching left side joined with caudal fin to 40 cm. Body tongue shaped, strongly compressed. Mouth small, subterminal and asymmetrical, reaching posteriorly below lower body flat and oblong eye. Eyes on left side of head. Pos- terior margin of preopercle strongly attached to opercle, without free no spines in all fins margin and embedded in skin. Dorsal fin reaching far forward on head. Anterior rays of dorsal of body. anal fins, and lacking free preoper- and anal fins not spinous. Pectoral Remarks. Commonly found on cular margin. It is also separable fins absent. Usually only pelvic fin muddy bottoms and other sub- from most flatfishes in lacking on blind side present. Caudal fin strates, from tide pools to deep pectoral fins. Psettodidae–dorsal fused with dorsal and anal fins. waters on continental shelves and fin origin well posterior to upper Scales small, ctenoid or cycloid. slopes. Marketed fish. Includes 3 eye; anterior rays of dorsal and Color: variable even in a species, genera and about 130 species. anal fins spinous; pelvic fin with 1 usually brownish or grayish, of- Similar family occurring in the spine; lateral line slightly curved ten variably marked with spots, area. Cynoglossidae differs from above pectoral fin. Citharidae– blotches or cross bands on eyed all other flatfish families in this pelvic fin with 1 spine. Samaridae side of body; usually uniformly area, except for Soleidae, in having and Soleidae–eyes on right side of yellowish or whitish on blind side caudal fin fused with dorsal and head. (H. Imamura)

Cynoglossus arel (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Largescale Tonguesole Lidah Sisik Besar D 116–130; A 85–98; P2 4; LL 56–70 (midlateral line); V 50–57. Body elongate, strongly compressed. Snout long, obtusely pointed. Mouth small, reaching to or beyond posterior margin of lower eye. Both eyes on left side of head; interorbital space narrow with scales. Cau- Cynoglossus arel, 22.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) dal fin usually with 10 rays. Scales large, ctenoid on eyed side, cycloid on eyeless side. Two lateral lines on eyed side of body; upper one along dorsal-fin base, lower one midlaterally on body; none on eyeless side. Color: eyed side of body almost uniformly brownish; eyeless side of body whitish. Size: maximum length 40 cm. Distribution: Indo- West Pacific, from Red Sea to Indo- nesia excluding New Guinea, north to southern Japan. Remarks: inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms. Cynoglossus arel, 14.6 cm SL Marketed fresh or dried. (S. Kimura) (from Selangor, Malaysia; photo by S. Kimura) 96

Cynoglossus bilineatus (Lacepède, 1802) Fourlined Tonguesole Lidah Pasir D 107–113; A 80–88; C usually 12; LL 88–96 (midlateral line). Body elongate, 3.5–4.5 in SL. Mouth moderate, extending beyond lower eye. Eyes small, slightly larger than interorbital space. Posterior nostril anterior to interorbital space. Two lateral lines on each side of body; Cynoglossus bilineatus, 10.3 cm SL upper one along dorsal-fin base, (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) lower one midlaterally on body. Scales ctenoid on eyed side and cycloid on blind side. Color: eyed side of body pale brown; blind side of body whitish. Size: maximum length 40 cm. Distribution: Indo- West Pacific, from Persian Gulf to New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to Australia. Remarks: inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms at depths of 13 to ca. 400 m. (H. Imamura) Cynoglossus bilineatus, 20.9 cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) Cynoglossus cynoglossus (Hamilton, 1822) Bengal Tonguesole Lidah Lidah D 94–104; A 72– 9; C 10; LL 70–80. Body elongate, strongly compressed. Snout rounded; rostral hook short. Two lateral lines on eyed side of body, none on blind side. Scales on both sides of body ctenoid. Color: eyed side of body uniformly brown-gray, with indis- Cynoglossus cynoglossus, 8.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) tinct dark markings. Size: maximum 20 cm, commonly to 15 cm. Distribution: tropical Indo-West Pacific from Pakistan eastward to Indonesia, northward to the Philip- pines; not found in New Guinea or northern Australia. Remarks: found on muddy and sandy bottoms in shallow waters, including estuaries and brackish waters; marketed fresh or frozen, also dried-salted. (K. Matsuura) Cynoglossus kopsi, 10.4 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Cynoglossus kopsi (Bleeker, 1851) Kops’ Tonguesole Lidah Kepala Kecil orbital space. Two, sometimes 3 bands. Size: maximum length D 103–115; A 80–91; C 10; LL 57–72 lateral lines on eyed side of body; about 19 cm. Distribution: Indo- (midlateral line). Body elongate, upper one often irregular, maybe West Pacific, including Madagas- 3.0–4.5 in SL. Mouth moderate, incomplete. Lateral lines absent on car, Maldives, Arabian Gulf, Indo- extending to below posterior half blind side. Scales ctenoid on both Malayan region, Australia, Hong of lower eye. Eyes small, narrowly sides. Color: eyed side of body pale Kong and Taiwan. Remarks: inhab- separated or contiguous. Posterior brown, with dark brown blotches its at depths of 24–90 m. nostril simple, anterior to inter- and short irregular transverse (H. Imamura) 97

Cynoglossus itinus (Snyder, 1909) Speckled Tonguesole Lidah Bintik D 99–114; A 79–87; C 8–10; LL 88– 96 (midlateral line). Body elongate, 4.6–5.6 in SL. Mouth moderate, nearly attaining to posterior margin of lower eye. Eyes small, about 2 times of interorbital space. Pos- terior nostril absent. Three lateral Cynoglossus itinus, 10.0 cm SL lines present on eyed side of body; (from Kochi, Japan; photo by Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of upper one along dorsal-fin base, Science, Kochi University) middle one midlaterally on body; lower one along anal-fin base. Lateral lines absent on blind side. Scales ctenoid on both sides. Color: eyed side of body brownish with blackish brown blotches; blind side of body whitish. Size: maximum length about 16 cm. Distribution: West Pacific, from southern Japan to South China Sea, including Johor Cynoglossus lingua, 22.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) Shoals. (H. Imamura)

Cynoglossus lingua Hamilton, 1822 Long Tonguesole Lidah Panjang D 126–138; A 97–114; C usually 10; LL 90–101 (midlateral line). Body very elongate, 4.5–5.9 in SL. Mouth moderate, extending well beyond posterior margin of lower eye. Eyes Cynoglossus puncticeps, 11.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) separated by narrow interorbital space. Posterior nostril in anterior interorbital space. Two lateral lines present on eyed side of body; upper one along dorsal-fin base, lower one midlaterally on body. Lateral lines absent on blind side of body. Scales comparatively large, ctenoid on eyed side and cycloid on blind side. Color: eyed side of body reddish brown, sometimes with irregular brown-black patches, with a large black blotch on oper- Cynoglossus puncticeps, 13.0 cm SL cular region. Size: maximum total (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) length about 40 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, including Red Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. Remarks: inhabits LL 78–99 (midlateral line). Body body. Scales ctenoid on both sides mainly shallow sandy and muddy elongate. Angle of jaws not reach- of body. Color: eyed side of body bottoms on inner continental shelf, ing posteriorly beyond vertical yellow brown, with very distinct ir- often entering estuaries. through posterior margin of lower regular dark brown blotches, often (H. Imamura) eye. Eyes with a narrow interorbital forming irregular cross bands. Size: space. Posterior nostril in anterior maximum length about 18 cm TL, Cynoglossus puncticeps interorbital space. Two lateral commonly 8–10 cm TL. Distribu- (Richardson, 1846) lines present on eyed side of body; tion: Indo-West Pacific, including Speckled Tonguesole upper one along dorsal-fin base, Gulf of Thailand, Australia, New Lidah Bintik lower one midlaterally on body. Guinea, Philippines and Taiwan. D 90–100; A 72–78; C 10 (usually); Lateral lines absent on blind side of (H. Imamura) 98

TRIACANTHIDAE Triplespines Small fishes less than 30 cm, with moderately elongate, strongly compressed body covered by V visible spines moderately thick skin with numerous minute scales. Mouth small and terminal; teeth in an outer 20 to 26 fin rays series of about 10 heavy incisors in each jaw, internally to which are several molariform teeth, usually deepley forked 4 in upper jaw and 2 in lower jaw. Gill opening a moderately short vertical slit in front of pectoral-fin base. Dorsal-fin spine VI (usually only V visible, the 6th rudimenta- no visible rays ry), dorsal-fin rays 20 to 26; caudal fin deeply forked; pelvic fins with Lateral line inconspicuous. Color: commercially important. I large spine and no visible rays; generally silvery, with upper half Similar families occurring in most dorsal-, anal-, and pectoral- of body dusky, with or without the area. Triacanthodidae–caudal fin rays branched. Caudal pedun- darker blotches. fin not deeply forked, rounded to cle distinctly tapering to a narrow Remarks. Benthic, occurring almost truncate; caudal peduncle transversely indented region just usually on flat, sandy or weed- not distinctly tapered, deeper than in front of caudal-fin base, where covered bottoms. Feed on bottom wide; dorsal-fin rays 12−18 (20−26 the peduncle is wider than deep. invertebrates. Marketed but not in Triacanthidae). (K. Matsuura)

Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer (Cantor, 1849) Long-spined Tripodfish Lembu Spina D XI + 20−24; A 13−17; P1 12−15. Pelvis distinctly tapered posteriorly. Second dorsal spine more than half of 1st dorsal spine. Color: Body silvery gray with several golden bronze blotches; membrane between 1st and 2nd dorsal spines pale but black distally; 2nd dorsal, anal, pectoral and caudal fins pale. Size: maximum 25 cm. Distribu- Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer, 11.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) tion: widely distributed in tropical Indo-West Pacific from Gulf of Oman eastward to Indonesia. Remarks: occurring in sandy and muddy bottom at depths of 10−60 m. (K. Matsuura)

Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer, 13.2 cm SL (from Gulf of Thailand; photo by M. Matsunuma) 99

Triacanthus biaculeatus (Bloch, 1786) Shortnosed Tripodfish Lembu Muncung D VI + 21–26; A 17–22; P1 12–16. Pelvis not distinctly tapered to a point posteriorly. Doral profile of head from 1st dorsal-fin spine to above eye slightly convex. Color: dorsal half of body silvery light brown, ventral half silvery white; a large black blotch beneath spiny dorsal-fin base which continues over most spiny dorsal-fin membrane; soft dorsal and anal fins pale; pectoral and caudal fins yellow. Size: maximum length 30 cm. Distribution: widespread in Indo- West Pacific, from Persian Gulf eastward through Bay of Bengal Triacanthus biaculeatus, 8.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) to eastern Australia, northward to southern Japan. Remarks: coastal and estuarine waters, on sandy or muddy flat; feeds on benthic invertebrates. (K. Matsuura)

Triacanthus nieuhofi Bleeker, 1852 Silver Tripodfish Lembu Perak D VI + 22–26; A 18–21; P1 14–16. Pelvis not distinctly tapered to a point posteriorly. Doral profile of head somewhat convex in front of 1st dorsal spine. Color: dorsal half of body silvery light brown, ventral half silvery white; several irregular dark yellow blotches on mid-body; spiny dorsal-fin membrane black between 1st and 2nd spines, slightly to much less darker between 2nd and 3rd spines, and pale between 3rd and 5th spines; 1st dorsal-fin spine white; soft dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins pale; caudal fin white with yellow lines. Size: maximum Triacanthus nieuhofi, 5.0 cm SL length 28 cm. Distribution: oc- (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) curring mainly from Indonesia to north western Australia; recorded also from Bay of Bengal. Remarks: occurring on sandy or muddy flat; feeds on benthic invertebrates. (K. Matsuura)

100

Tripodichthys blochii (Bleeker, 1852) Longtail Tripodfish Lembu Ramping D VI + 20−24; A 15−19; P1 13−15. Scale covered ventral surface of pelvis distinctly tapered to a point posteriorly. Second dorsal spine much less than half the length of 1st dorsal spine. Pelvis between bases of pelvic spines narrow (1.4−3.0% SL), the width 7.2−12.4 (usually about 9 or 10) times in length of pelvis. Dorsal rays modally 22 and anal rays modally 17. Color: dorsal half of body silvery light brown, ventral half silvery white; several irregular dark yellow markings on side of body; spiny dorsal-fin Triacanthus blochii, 8.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) membrane pale; basal part of spiny dorsal fin yellowish orange; soft dorsal, anal and pectoral fins pale; caudal fin light yellow. Size: 15 cm. Distribution: known from China and countries in Southeast Asia, a stray found from southern Japan. Remarks: coastal and estuarine shallow waters at depths of 0−40 m; usually found on sandy or muddy flat; feeds on benthic invertebrates. (K. Matsuura)

Triacanthus blochii, 9.7 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 101

MONACANTHIDAE Filefishes Small or medium-sized fishes, 2 dorsal spines usually less than 20 cm (but up to (2nd hidden in skin) 50 cm for some species of Aluterus), with deep, highly compressed body covered by thin but rough or shagreen-like skin with minute scales not individually easily discernible to the unaided eye. sclales small, shagreen-like Mouth small and usually more or less terminal or slightly supraterminal; teeth only moderately heavy, 6 in an outer series in upper jaw and 6 or fewer in the lower. Gill opening a relatively short, vertical to oblique slit in front of pectoral-fin base. Two (sometimes 1) dorsal-fin spines, 2nd single pelvic fin spine not more than 1/3 the length of 1st; 1st spine usually capable of being locked in an upright position inconspicuous or only slightly invertebrates. Marketed fresh. of erection by the 2nd; dorsal-, anal- apparent. Color: variable, drab Similar families occurring in and pectoral-fin rays unbranched; brown, gray, or greenish, but often the area. Balistidae–III spines in pelvic fin and spines rudimentary with strikingly marked and vivid 1st dorsal fin; skin tough but not or absent, represented by a series patterns. shagreen-like, individual scales of 3 or fewer pairs of enlarged Remarks. Found in shallow coral distinct, usually forming prominent, scales encasing end of pelvis, or and rocky reefs, seagrass beds, oblique rows. Triacanthidae–VI segments of indeterminate number, and sandy-muddy bottoms in spines (usually only V spines or entirely absent. Scales above depths of 10 to over 200 m. Feed on visible) in 1st dorsal fin; pair of pectoral-fin base unmodified, not coral polyps, epiphytes attached strong pelvic-fin spines. forming a tympanum. Lateral line to seagrass, or other marine (K. Matsuura)

Acreichthys tomentosus (Linnaeus, 1758) Bristle-tail Filefish Barat-Barat Jalur Putih D II + 27–29; A 26–28; P1 11. Body relatively oblong and strongly compressed. Dorsal spine above posterior half of eye; 1st dorsal spine long, 1.0–1.1 in head length, with 7–9 downwardly directed barbs on posterolateral parts. Gill opening short oblique slit below posterior ⅓ of eye. Pelvic terminus composed of 3 segments of encasing scales and movable dorso-ventrally. Color: mottled brown to yellowish brown with an irregular longitudinal, slightly curved light yellow line on anterior side of body from gill opening to above anterior part of anal fin; caudal fin with 2–3 transverse dark brown bars. Size: maximum 12 cm. Distribution: from west coast of Acreichthys tomentosus, 4.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) peninsular Malaysia eastward to Solomon Islands, north to southern Japan. Remarks: occurring in seagrass beds and sandy bottoms. (K. Matsuura) 102

Anacanthus barbatus Gray, 1830 Bearded Leatherjacket / Seligi D II + 48−50; A 58−62; P1 8−10; Vertebrae 7 + 23−24 = 30−31. Body Anacanthus barbatus, 11.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) extremely elongate, depth at anal- fin origin 8.3-10 in SL. A well- developed barbell on chin, its length longer than pectoral-fin length. First dorsal spine short and feeble, originating over posterior part of eye. Bases of 2nd dorsal and anal fins long. Caudal fin greatly elongate, its length 1.5−2.2 in SL. Color: body brown with whitish stripe along dorsal edge of body from mouth to caudal-fin base; dark brown stripe from snout to posterior part of body; ventral half of head and body whitish yellow covered with brown reticulations; chin barbell blackish brown; caudal fin dark brown. Size: maximum 30 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in tropical Indo-West Pacific from India eastward to northern Australia. Remarks: occurring on muddy bottom at depths 2−20 m. Chaetodermis penicilligerus, 7.6 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) (K. Matsuura)

Chaetodermis penicilligerus (Cuvier, 1816) Prickly Leatherjacket Barat-Barat Duri D II + 25−26; A 23−24; P1 12−13. Body deep; dorsal profile of head ascending from mouth to dorsal spine. Body covered with many fleshy filaments. Pelvic terminus prominent, composed of 3 segments of encasing scales, movable dorso-ventrally. Scales on body relatively large with a backwardly curved spine. Dorsal spine with many fleshy filaments, located above gill opening. Caudal fin rhomboidal. Color: light brown with many longitudinal black lines on side of body; fin rays of dorsal, Monacanthus chinensis, 11.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) anal and caudal fins with many black spots. Size: 31 cm. Distribu- tion: tropical eastern Indian Ocean and West Pacific from west coast Monacanthus chinensis of Malaysia eastward to northern (Osbeck, 1765) rays produced into a filament. Australia, northward to southern Fanbellied Leatherjacket Color: body light brown with Japan. Remarks: collected from Barat-Barat Kipas many irregular dark brown rocky reefs and sandy-muddy bot- D II + 28–30; A 27–30; P1 12. Body blotches. Size: maximum 38 cm. tom, usually from depths shallower very deep. Dorsal profile of Distribution: west coast of Malay than 200 m; feeds on marine inver- snout concave. Pelvic terminus Peninsula and tropical West Pacific tebrates. (K. Matsuura) prominent, composed of 3 from Thailand eastward to New segments of encasing scales, Guinea. Remarks: occurring in movable dorsoventrally; ventral seagrass bed and rocky reefs in flap enlarged. Upper caudal fin shallow waters. (K. Matsuura) 103

Paramonacanthus choirocephalus (Bleeker, 1852) Pig Faced Leatherjacket Kerosok Tritompok D II + 27−31; A 28−32; P1 11−13 (usually 12). Body relatively elongate, strongly compressed. Body depth at anal-fin origin 1.7−3.0 in SL. Dorsal profile of snout slightly convex or straight in male, concave or straight in female and juvenile. Encasing scales of pelvic fin movable. Caudal fin convex; 2nd uppermost ray elongate and filamentous in male. Color: body pale yellowish or light brownish with dark brown blotches; dark brown circular to elliptical blotch on midside of body, Paramonacanthus choirocephalus, 7.2 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) bisected diagonally by posterior abdominal branch of lateral line: 2nd dorsal, anal and pectoral fins pale; caudal fin pale with 2 broad, curved, transverse bands. Size: maximum 12 cm. Distribution: Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Guinea. Re- marks: found in shallow waters on flat sandy and silty bottom. (K. Matsuura)

Pseudomonacanthus macrurus (Bleeker, 1856) Strap-weed Filefish Barat-Barat D II + 29−30; A 27−30; P1 11−12. Body relatively elongate, strongly compressed. Body depth at anal-fin origin 2.5−2.8 in SL. Dorsal profile of snout slightly concave. Encasing scales of pelvic fin immovable. Caudal fin rounded, its length 3.1 in SL. First dorsal spine originating Paramonacanthus choirocephalus, 6.0 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) over posterior half of eye. Color: body yellowish brown with many black or dark brown spots; caudal fin with 2 transverse dark brown bands; 2nd dorsal, anal and pectoral fins pale. Size: maximum 23 cm. Distribution: seas in SE Asia northward to southern Japan. Remarks: color highly variable depending on surroundings; occurring on reef flats, lagoons and seagrasses. (K. Matsuura)

Pseudomonacanthus macrurus, 9.5 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 104

OSTRACIIDAE Boxfishes Small to medium-sized fishes, carapace never more than 45 cm, with no body plates wide body nearly completely enclosed in a carapace or cuirass formed of enlarged, thickened scale plates, usually hexagonal in shape and firmly sutured to one another (less so on cheek to allow for breathing movements). 8 branched rays The carapace has openings for the mouth, eyes, gill slits, and fins, and for the flexible caudal peduncle; it is either triangular fins absent. Scale-plates often with bars, spots, or reticulations. (flat on bottom and sharp-crested surface granulations and sometimes Remarks. occurring on rocky and above) or rectangular in shape, prolonged into prominent carapace coral reefs and over sand, weed, or although sometimes relatively spines around eye or along the sponge-covered bottoms to depths pentangular. Mouth small, terminal, ventrolateral or dorsal surfaces of of 100 m. Secreting a substance with fleshy lips; teeth moderate, the body; scales above pectoral-fin when distressed that is highly toxic, conical, usually less than 15 in each base like the scales of rest of body. both to other fishes and themselves jaw. Gill openings relatively short, Lateral line inconspicuous. Color: in enclosed areas such as aquarium vertical to oblique slits in front of variable, with general ground colors tanks. pectoral-fin bases. Spiny dorsal ranging from gray to bluish and Similar families occurring in the fin absent; most dorsal-, anal- and greenish or, to yellowish and brown, area. No other fishes enclosed in a pectoral-fin rays branched; pelvic usually with darker or lighter lines, bony shell. (K. Matsuura)

Ostracion nasus Bloch, 1785 Nasal Boxfish / Buntal Kotak D 9; A 9; P1 10. Body alomost completely encased in a carapace formed of enlarged, thickened scale plates, usually hexagonal in shape and firmly sutured to one another; carapace quadrangular in cross section, sides and ventral surface concave. Dorsal ridge on carapace distinct and relatively high. Dorsal profile of snout concave, produced into knob avobe mouth. Color: body yellowish brown to gray with many dark brown spots, usually 1 per hexagonal plate of carapace. Size: maximum 30 cm. Distribu- tion: India to East Indian region (except for Solomon Islands), southward to Australia, common in the South China Sea. Remarks: solitary, found on sandy-muddy bottoms at depth from 3 m to 40 m. (K. Matsuura) Ostracion nasus, 6.3 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) 105

TETRAODONTIDAE Puffers Small to moderate-sized fishes, gill opening most species less than 30 cm, with a heavy blunt body capable of rapid beak inflation by intake of water (or air). Head large and blunt; jaws modified to form a beak of 4 heavy, powerful teeth, 2 above and 2 below. Gill openings without distinct opercular cover, appearing as simple slits anterior to the pectoral fin; eyes located high on head. Dorsal and deflated inflated pelvic fins absent anal fins located far posteriorly bearing no spines, but 7 to 15 soft often with spots of various sizes and the flesh is poisonous. Laymen rays; caudal fin usually truncate colors; ventral surfaces are almost are strongly recommended not to to slightly rounded; pelvic fins always unpigmented. eat puffers, although connoisseurs absent. Typical scales absent, but Remarks. Occurring in tropical like to consume puffers in licensed most species are partially covered and temperate seas, most frequently restaurants in some countries (e.g., with tiny prickles or spinules, and in shallow inshore waters, Japan). many species have small fleshy sometimes entering brackish and Similar families occurring in tabs or lappets on the dorsal and/or fresh waters, but a few species the area. Diodontidae–head and lateral surfaces. Color: most species are pelagic. The viscera, skin, body covered with strong elongate are mottled, variegated, or barred and blood of most species are spines; 1 tooth plate in each jaw. on the upper and lateral surfaces, poisonous; in some species even (K. Matsuura)

Chelonodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822) Milkspotted Puffer Buntal Susu D 10; A 8; P1 15–16. A patch of spinules on back from behind interorbital nearly to dorsal fin and another on throat and abdomen. Nasal organ in the form of a depression with slightly raised margin expanded before and behind into a pair of elongate flaps. Color: greenish-gray to brown on back with large round to ovate Chelonodon patoca, 4.2 cm SL white spots, a broad yellow band (from Trang, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) running from chin to lower caudal- fin base. Size: maximum to 20 cm. Distribution: tropical eastern Indian Ocean including India and Sri Lanka and West Pacific from Thailand to French Polynesia, northward to southern Japan and southward to northern Australia; usually found inshore, frequently in brackish waters. Remarks: occurring commonly in mangrove areas. (K. Matsuura)

Chelonodon patoca, 9.1 cm SL (from Okinawa Island, Japan; photo by S. Kimura) 106

Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Rough Golden Puffers Buntal Pisang Kasar D 12–13; A 11–12; P1 16–17. A patch of spinules on back reaching dorsal-fin origin; side naked; belly covered with spinules. Nostrils with 2 openings. Caudal fin lunate. Color: body brownish gray Lagocephalus lunaris, 7.9 cm SL (photo by S. Kimura) dorsally, side and belly silvery white; dorsal half of caudal fin dusky yellow, ventral half whitish; dorsal and ventral tips of caudal fin white. Size: maximum to 35 cm. Distribution: tropical Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to northern Australia. Remarks: body and viscera strongly toxic; frequently confused with other species of Lagocephalus, distinguishable from other species by having a spinule patch on back reaching dorsal fin origin (vs. not reaching dorsal- fin origin in other species) and by caudal fin lunate. (K. Matsuura) Lagocephalus lunaris, 5.2 cm SL (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) Takifugu oblongus (Bloch, 1786) Lattice Blaasop Buntal Belang Oblong D 13; A 11; P1 16. Body relatively elongate covered with spinules. Nostrils with 2 openings. Color: body brown dorsally, white ventrally; many transverse white bands on back from snout to caudal peduncle. Size: maximum to 40 cm. Distribution: tropical Indo-West Pacific from East Africa eastward Takifugu oblongus, 13.2 cm SL to Australia, north to southern (from Phuket, Thailand; photo by S. Kimura) Japan. Remarks: caught by trawl in shallow waters. (K. Matsuura)

Takifugu oblongus, 13.2 cm SL (from Gulf of Thailand; photo by T. Yoshida) 107

Scientific Name Index Acentrogobius caninus 78 cinereus, Muraenesox 12 indicus, Platycephalus 33 Acreichthys tomentosus 101 Pampus 89 Inegocia japonica 32 albella, Sardinella 19 Clupeidae 17 Istigobius diadema 80 albilabris, Paraplotosus 21 commersonnianus, Scomberoides 45 itinus, Cynoglossus 97 Alectis indica 43 commersonnii, Dagetichthys 93 japonica, Inegocia 32 Ambassidae 34 cultellatus, Platycephalus 33 javanicus, Pseudorhombus 92 Ambassis kopsi 34 Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus 31 javus, Siganus 84 nalua 35 Cynoglossidae 95 Johnius macrorhynus 63 Anacanthus barbatus 102 Cynoglossus arel 95 jonesi, Eubleekeria 47 anea, Pennahia 64 bilineatus 96 kanagurta, Rastrelliger 87 Anodontostoma chacunda 17 cynoglossus 96 kelee, Hilsa 19 Apogon fasciatus 38 itinus 97 kelloggi, Hippocampus 28 lateralis 39 kopsi 96 key, Drombus 79 margaritophorus 39 lingua 97 knappi, Grammoplites 31 pleuron 40 puncticeps 97 koilomatodon, Butis 77 Apogonidae 38 cynoglossus, Cynoglossus 96 kopsi, Ambassis 34 Arcygobius baliurus 79 Dagetichthys commersonnii 93 Cynoglossus 96 arel, Cynoglossus 95 Dasyatidae 7 kuhlii, Neotrygon 9 argenteus, Pomadasys 55 Dasyatis zugei 7 Labridae 73 argus, Scatophagus 83 Dendrophysa russelli 62 Lagocephalus lunaris 105 argyropleuron, Plicofollis 24 diadema, Istigobius 80 lateralis, Apogon 39 Ariidae 22 Diagramma picta 54 Latidae 36 Arius oetik 22 dispilonotus, Herklotsichthys 18 Leiognathidae 46 venosus 23 Drepane longimana 68 lentjan, Lethrinus 59 armatus, Carangoides 44 punctata 69 Lepturacanthus savala 86 arsius, Pseudorhombus 91 Drepaneidae 68 Lethrinidae 59 baganensis, Stolephorus 14 Drombus key 79 Lethrinus lentjan 59 baliurus, Arcygobius 79 dunckeri, Zenarchopterus 27 leuciscus, Equulites 46 barbatus, Anacanthus 102 Echeneidae 42 lineatus, Plotosus 21 batavianus, Platax 82 Echeneis naucrates 42 lingua, Cynoglossus 97 Batrachoididae 26 Eleotridae 77 longicornis, Nuchequula 48 Batrachomoeus trispinosus 26 Eleutheronema tetradactylum 60 longimana, Drepane 68 biaculeatus, Triacanthus 99 Engraulidae 14 lunaris, Lagocephalus 106 bicolor, Halichoeres 74 Ephippidae 81 Lutjanidae 50 bifasciatus, Pentapodus 58 Ephippus orbis 81 Lutjanus carponotatus 50 bilineata, Netuma 23 Equulites leuciscus 46 flaviflamma 51 bilineatus, Cynoglossus 96 oblongus 47 lymma, Taeniura 9 bleekeri, Taeniamia 40 stercorarius 47 macrorhynus, Johnius 63 Blenniidae 75 erumei , Psettodes 90 macrurus, Pseudomonacanthus 103 blochii, Tripodichthys 100 erythrourus, Gerres 52 maculatus, Pomadasys 55 boddarti, Boleophthalmus 79 Escualosa thoracata 18 malayanus, Pseudorhombus 92 Boleophthalmus boddarti 79 Eubleekeria jonesi 47 margaritophorus, Apogon 39 Butis koilomatodon 77 fasciatus, Apogon 38 marginatus, Nemipterus 57 Callionymidae 76 flaviflamma, Lutjanus 51 megalolepis, Secutor 49 cancrivorus, Pisodonophis 11 gerrardi, Himantura 8 megaloptera, Ilisha 13 caninus, Acentrogobius 78 Gerreidae 52 melanotopterus, Repomucenus 76 Carangidae 43 gerreoides, Nuchequula 48 mentalis, Ulua 45 Carangoides armatus 44 Gerres erythrourus 52 Monacanthidae 101 carbuncula, Sunagocia 33 oyena 53 Monacanthus chinensis 102 carponotatus, Lutjanus 50 shima 53 mookalee, Trachinotus 45 Centrogenyidae 37 Gnathanodon speciosus 44 Mullidae 65 Centrogenys vaigiensis 37 Gobiidae 78 Muraenesocidae 12 chacunda, Anodontostoma 17 Grammoplites knappi 31 Muraenesox cinereus 12 Chaetodermis penicilligera 102 scaber 32 Muraenidae 10 Chaetodon oligacanthus 70 Gymnothorax tile 10 nalua, Ambassis 35 Chaetodontidae 70 Haemulidae 54 nasus, Ostracion 104 Chanidae 20 Halichoeres bicolor 74 naucrates, Echeneis 42 Chanos chanos 20 hamiltoni, Thryssa 15 neglectus, Pseudorhombus 92 chanos, Chanos 20 hanedai, Secutor 49 nematophthalmus, Cymbacephalus 31 chatareus, Toxotes 67 Hemiramphidae 27 Nemipteridae 57 Chelonodon patoca 105 Herklotsichthys dispilonotus 18 Nemipterus marginatus 57 chinensis, Monacanthus 102 Hexanematichthys sagor 23 peronii 58 Pampus 88 Hilsa kelee 19 Neotrygon kuhlii 9 Stolephorus 15 Himantura gerrardi 8 Netuma bilineata 23 Chirocentridae 16 walga 8 thalassina 24 Chirocentrus nudus 16 Hippocampus kelloggi 28 Nibea soldado 63 Choerodon oligacanthus 73 Ilisha megaloptera 13 nieuhofi, Triacanthus 99 choirocephalus, Paramonacanthus 103 indica, Alectis 43 niger, Parastromateus 44 108

Nuchequula gerreoides 48 Pseudomonacanthus macrurus 103 sundaicus, Upeneus 66 Nuchequula longicornis 48 Pseudorhombus arsius 91 Synanceiidae 30 nudus, Chirocentrus 16 javanicus 92 Syngnathidae 28 oblongus, Equulites 47 malayanus 92 Synodontidae 25 Takifugu 106 neglectus 92 Taeniamia bleekeri 40 oetik, Arius 22 Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer 98 taenioptera, Scolopsis 58 oligacanthus, Chaetodon 70 punctata, Drepane 69 Taeniura lymma 9 Choerodon 73 puncticeps, Cynoglossus 97 Takifugu oblongus 106 Ophichthidae 11 puta, Terapon 72 Terapon puta 72 orbis, Ephippus 81 putnamae, Sphyraena 85 theraps 72 Ostraciidae 104 quadrilineatus, Pelates 71 Terapontidae 71 Ostracion nasus 104 quagga, Zebrias 94 tetradactylum, Eleutheronema 60 Otolithes ruber 64 Rastrelliger kanagurta 87 Tetraodontidae 105 ovata, Solea 94 Repomucenus melanotopterus 76 Tetrarogidae 29 oyena, Gerres 53 ruber, Otolithes 64 thalassina, Netuma 24 Pampus chinensis 88 russelli, Dendrophysa 62 theraps, Terapon 72 cinereus 89 sagor, Hexanematichthys 23 thoracata, Escualosa 18 Paralichthyidae 91 Sardinella albella 19 Thryssa hamiltoni 15 Paramonacanthus choirocephalus 103 Saurida tumbil 25 tile, Gymnothorax 10 Paraplotosus albilabris 21 savala, Lepturacanthus 86 tomentosus, Acreichthys 101 Parastromateus niger 44 scaber, Grammoplites 32 Toxotes chatareus 67 patoca, Chelonodon 105 Scatophagidae 83 Toxotidae 67 Pelates quadrilineatus 71 Scatophagus argus 83 Trachicephalus uranoscopus 30 penicilligera, Chaetodermis 102 schlosseri, Periophthalmodon 80 trachinoides, Vespicula 29 Pennahia anea 64 Sciaenidae 62 Trachinotus mookalee 45 Pentapodus bifasciatus 58 Scolopsis taenioptera 58 tragula, Upeneus 66 Periophthalmodon schlosseri 80 Scomberoides commersonnianus 45 Triacanthidae 98 Periophthalmus variabilis 80 Scombridae 87 Triacanthus biaculeatus 99 peronii, Nemipterus 58 Secutor hanedai 49 nieuhofi 99 Petroscirtes variabilis 75 megalolepis 49 Trichiuridae 86 picta, Diagramma 54 sextarius, Polydactylus 61 trifasciatus, Pomadasys 56 pinguis, Sphyraena 85 shima, Gerres 53 Tripodichthys blochii 100 Pisodonophis cancrivorus 11 Siganidae 84 trispinosus, Batrachomoeus 26 Platax batavianus 82 Siganus javus 84 tumbil, Saurida 25 Platycephalidae 31 sihama, Sillago 41 Ulua mentalis 45 Platycephalus cultellatus 33 Sillaginidae 41 unimaculatus, Pomadasys 56 indicus 33 Sillago sihama 41 Upeneus sulphureus 65 pleuron, Apogon 40 soldado, Nibea 63 sundaicus 66 Plicofollis argyropleuron 24 Solea ovata 94 tragula 66 Plotosidae 21 Soleidae 93 uranoscopus, Trachicephalus 30 Plotosus lineatus 21 speciosus, Gnathanodon 44 vaigiensis, Centrogenys 37 Polydactylus sextarius 61 Sphyraena pinguis 85 variabilis, Periophthalmus 80 Polynemidae 60 putnamae 85 Petroscirtes 75 Pomadasys argenteus 55 Sphyraenidae 85 venosus, Arius 23 maculatus 55 stercorarius, Equulites 47 Vespicula trachinoides 29 trifasciatus 56 Stolephorus baganensis 14 waigiensis, Psammoperca 36 unimaculatus 56 chinensis 15 walga, Himantura 8 Pristigasteridae 13 strigilifer, Pseudotriacanthus 98 Zebrias quagga 94 Psammoperca waigiensis 36 Stromateidae 88 Zenarchopterus dunckeri 27 Psettodes erumei 90 sulphureus, Upeneus 65 zugei, Dasyatis 7 Psettodidae 90 Sunagocia carbuncula 33

Universiti Putra Malaysia Press Mie University 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor 1577 Kurima-Machiyacho, Tsu, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Mie 514-8507, Japan http://www.upm.edu.my http://www.mie-u.ac.jp https://penerbitupm.wordpress.com