28. Argyrops spinifer (Forsskal, 1775)

King soldier bream (Figure 29)

Material examined: 1 ex, Mohana, Digha; 09.11.11, Reg. no. MARC /ZSI/F1971.

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Body deep, strongly compressed. Upper profile of head steep and almost straight from upper jaw to eye; eye large; caudal fin deeply emarginate to forked with pointed lobes; the first 2 spines very short, 3rd to 5th spines flattened and much elongated. Body mainly silvery pinkish, darker on head; usually dark red on margin of upper part of opercle; all fins red. Young fish with several vertical red bars on body.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Indo-Malayan Archipelago and northern Australia.

Remarks: The fish has a commercial value. Size: 65 cm.