CARANGIDAE


Alectis indicus, 8.8 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Alectis indicus
(Rüppell, 1830)
Indian Threadfish

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, or salted.