15. Alepes djedaba (Forsskal, 1775)

Shrimp scad (Figure 16)

Materials examined: 3 ex, Mohana, Digha; 16.03.12; Reg. No. MARC /ZSI/ F2458.

Description: Body oblong, compressed, with dorsal and ventral profiles almost evenly convex; snout pointed. Eye diameter about equal to snout length, with adipose eyelid well developed on posterior half of eye only; scales in curved part of lateral line 31 to 36; 0 to 3 scutes in curved part; straight part with 0 to 2 scales and 39 to 51 scutes. Colour greyish-green above, silvery to white below; a distinct black blotch on margin of opercle, bordered above by a smaller white spot. Spinous dorsal fin pale to dark dusky; dorsal-fin lobe dusky, pale distally. Caudal fin yellowish, except upper lobe often dusky to black distally; other fins pale.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, north to Japan, south to Australia. Immigrant to the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.

Remarks: The fish has commercial value & gamefish. Size: 16 cm.