CHANDIDAE


Ambassis vachellii, 4.0 cm SL
(photo by Koichi Shibukawa)


Ambassis vachellii
Richardson, 1846
Vachellfs Glass Perchlet

D VII+I, 9; A III, 9; P1 14-16; LL 10-13 + 12-14; LR 27-28.

Body oblong, compressed; lateral line interrupted at midway, anterior and posterior series with 10-13 and 12-14 scales, respectively. Some or more (most frequently 3-5) supraorbital spines (= posteriorlydirected spines at dorsoposterior margin of orbit); hind and ventral margins of preopercle with serrate; 2 or more scale rows on cheek. Color: body semitransparent, head and belly silvery; dorsal fins hyaline, exclusive of membrane between 2nd and 3rd spines of first dorsal fin blackish; caudal fin often tinged with yellow. Size: 5.5 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in bays, brackish estuaries and tidal creeks, especially mangroves.