Moolgarda seheli (Forsskål, 1775)

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 : 138

Moolgarda seheli (Forsskål, 1775)

(Figure: 6)

D1: IV; D2: 8 A: III, 9; Pc: 14; Pl: I, 5 L. S: 39–40; T .S: 14

Local name. Boi, Pharra (Sin); Guarez, Murbo, Mundsar (BAL)

FAO name. Blue-spot mullet

Material examined. 3 specimens of 310–312 mm TL.

Diagnosis: Body depth is 25–29% of SL at origin of first dorsal fin, 22% of SL at anal fin and 11% of SL at caudal peduncle. Origin of first dorsal fin usually midway between tip of snout and caudal fin. Second dorsal fin originates at vertical through origin of anal fin. Pectoral fin 23 % of SL and 92–95 % of head length. Scale numbers: 39–40 in lateral series and 14 in transverse series.

Description: Body moderately robust, Head is usually deeper than wide, flattened dorsally, pointed, and head length shorter than body depth. Snout is short and blunt. Eye diameter is 22–33% of head length. Adipose eye-fold poorly developed as a rim around eye. Mouth terminal, upper lip thin or slightly thickened, lower lip directed forwards. Dorsal fins falcate and well scaled. Pectoral fin is long and has 16-18 spines, vertically passed beyond the origin of first dorsal fin. Pectoral axillary scale long and distinct. Pelvic fin much shorter than pectoral fin, inserted below. Caudal fin is forked and scaled. Scales are ctenoid with a membranous, digitated hind margin.

Color: Dorsally greenish brown, silver abdomen and flanks, faint longitudinal stripes on upper scale rows, pectoral fin dull yellowish with a dark blue spot dorsal at its base, bluish caudal and second dorsal fin, caudal fin moderately dusky at margins, first dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are white.

Distribution: Widespread throughout Indo-Pacific region. It is collected from Somniani, Gwadar and Jiwani coast.