17. Elagatis bipinnaulata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

Rainbow runner (Figure 18)

Materials examined: 2 ex, 15.02.12, Reg. No. MARC /ZSI/ F2320.

Description: Body greatly elongate, almost fusiform. Head and snout pointed; mouth small, upper jaw ending distinctly before eye to below anterior margin of eye in. Caudal fin deeply forked. Lateral line with a slight anterior arch. No scutes; caudal peduncle grooves present. Colour dark olive-blue or green above and white below; 2 narrow light blue or bluish-white stripes along sides, with a broader olive or yellowish stripe between them; fins dark with an olive or yellow tint.

Distribution: Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic, throughout the Indo-Pacific, Eastern Pacific.

Remarks: The fish has high commercial value & gamefish. Reports of ciguatera poisoning. Size: 110 cm.