3. Escumosa thoracata (Valenciennes, 1847)

White sardine (Figure 4)

Material examined: 1 ex.; 22.07.11; Mohana, Reg. No. MARC /ZSI/F3721 .

Description: Body fusiform, moderately deep, compressed; belly with a distinct keel of scutes. Mouth small, 2nd supramaxilla rectangular; gill opening smoothly rounded. Dorsal fin at about mid-point of body; pelvic fins below dorsal fin origin, 7 pelvic fin rays; anal fin short, its origin behind dorsal fin base. Colour back pale grey, a double pigment line along back, from head to caudal fin base; flanks with a diffuse silver band, belly pale.

Distribution: Western coast of India, Elsewhere, eastward to Southeast Asia, the northeast and northwest coast of Australia.

Remarks: The fish is commercially important.