Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)

Hasan, Ariba & Siddiqui, Pirzada Jamal Ahmed, 2020, Taxonomic study of the family Mugilidae from Pakistan coast (northern Arabian Sea), Zootaxa 4881 (1), pp. 131-151 : 135-136

Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)

(Figure: 3)

D1:1V; D2:8; A: III, 8; Pc: 15–17; Pl: 1, 5; L.S: 26–28; T.S: 8–10

Local name. Mangan (Sin); Murbo (Bal); Diamond scale mullet (Eng.)

FAO name. Square-tail mullet

Material examined. 5 specimens of 239–323 TL.

Diagnosis. The almost straight caudal fin is a peculiar character for E. vaigiensis . Body depth at first dorsal fin is 24 to 26% of SL; depth at anal fin is 24 to 27% of SL. First dorsal fin origin distinctly nearer to base of caudal fin than to snout tip. Second dorsal fin at vertical originate behind half to one-third of anal fin. Anal fin with III spines and 8 soft rays. Caudal fin is truncated. Scales numbers: 24 to 26 in lateral series and 8–9 in transverse series.

Description. Body robust, dorsally straight in lateral profile, caudal peduncle deep, Head broad, dorsally flattened, wider than deep length which is 26 to 28% of SL. Adipose eye fold less developed only as rim around eye, pre-orbital bone is wide filling the space between lip and eye. Mouth terminal, lips thin, Upper lip with 1 or 2 rows of very short, unicuspid, setiform teeth.

Maxilla slightly curved below. Eye diameter is 18 to 20% of HL. Snout longer than eye diameter. Anal fin higher than 2 nd dorsal fin and both fins higher than 1 st dorsal fin. Pectoral fins with I spine and 15 to 18 soft rays; short, just reaching origin of first dorsal fin; pectoral fins are 21 to 23% of SL and 76 to 81% HL; greater than length of snout; pectoral axillary scale absent. Pelvic fin smaller than pectoral fin. Scales weakly ctenoid.

Color. Dorsally green to olive brown, silver flanks, white to pale yellow abdomen, about 5–6 longitudinal stripes on upper scale rows, blackish pectoral fins. Pelvic, anal and caudal fin dusky and darker at margins. Yellow patches on iris.

Distribution. Along Damb, Keti Bunder and Soneri beach.