16. Decapterus russelli (Ruppell, 1830)

Indian scad (Figure 17)

Materials examined: 6 ex.; 08.06.2011, Mohana, Digha, Reg No. MARC /ZSI/F1912 .

Description: Body elongate, moderately slender and slightly compressed. Eye moderate, with adipose eyelid well developed, completely covering eye except for a vertical slit centred on pupil. Scales in curved part of lateral line 42 to 62; scutes in curved part 0 to 4; straight part with 0 to 4 scales, followed by 30 to 40 scutes. Tip of appressed pectoral fin extending to or nearly to a vertical line from second dorsal fin origin; Colour bluish-green above, silvery below; small black blotch on margin of opercle near upper edge. Caudal fin hyaline to dusky brown, second dorsal fin hyaline basally, light dusky distally; other fins mostly hyaline, except pelvic fins of adult males slightly dark.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Japan, the Arafura Sea and Australia.

IUCN Status (2012): Least Concern (LC).

Remarks: The fish has high commercial value. Size: 40 cm.