Encrasicholina purpurea (Fowler 1900)

Most specimens without pre-pelvic scutes, but some with 1 to 5 thin needle-like scutes. Maxilla tip blunt, reaching to front border of pre-operculum, but scarcely projecting beyond second supra-maxilla. Isthmus short, preceded by a small fleshy plate on urohyal between branchial membranes. Anal fin short, its origin behind base of last dorsal fin ray.

Spawn in bays and estuaries in school (Ref. 205). Spawning is said to be continuous throughout the season (Ref. 32412, 40290).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 13 - 15

Living close inshore and entering bays, inlets, estuaries, canals and even penetrating fishponds, thus able to tolerate a wide range of salinities.

Epipelagic (Ref. 58302). A schooling species living close inshore and entering bays, inlets, estuaries, canals and even penetrating into fish ponds, thus able to tolerate a wide range of salinities. Feeds mainly on planktonic crustacean larvae. Breeds throughout the year, with a peak in summer, spawning at night (between 2200 and 0200 hours) in bays and estuaries (Ref. 189).

fisheries: minor commercial; bait: usually; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family