Anchois Moustache Malabar

Belly with 23 to 26 keeled scutes (isthmus to anus). Tip of snout about level of upper rim of eye. Maxilla moderate; first supra-maxilla small, oval; jaw teeth small. A dark blotch behind upper part of gill opening; small spots on cheek, gill cover, maxilla and paired fins; gill arches pinky orange, inside of gill cover yellow and gold; inner part of anal fin deep yellow, margin whitish.

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 34 - 38

A schooling fish found mostly inshore and perhaps entering estuaries. Although the name malabarica features in the literature, there can be no certainty that it refers to present species.

fisheries: commercial