20. Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793)

Bigeye scad (Figure 21)

Materials examined: 4 ex.; 18.04.11; Mohana, Digha; Reg. No. MARC /ZSI/F1773 .

Description: Body elongate and moderately compressed, with lower profile slightly more convex than upper. Eye very large, shorter than snout length and with a well developed adipose eyelid completely covering eye except for a vertical slit centred on pupil. Scales in curved part of lateral line 48 to 56; 0 to 4 scutes in curved part; straight part with 0 to 11 anterior scales and 29 to 42 scutes. Upper third of body and top of head metallic blue or bluish-green; tip of snout dusky orblackish; lower two thirds of body and head silvery or whitish; a narrow, yellowish stripe may be present from edge of opercle to upper part of caudal peduncle. First dorsal fin dusky on margins with rest of fin clear; second dorsal fin dusky over most of fin with dorsal lobe blackish; anal fin clear or slightly dusky along base; caudal fin dusky with tip of upper lobe dark; pectoral fins clear or slightly dusky near base and with a yellowish tint sometimes present; pelvic fins clear.

Distribution: Circumtropical. Indo-Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic.

Remarks: The fish has highly commercial value & gamefish. Reports of ciguatera poisoning. Size: 35 cm.