ENGRAULIDAE


Stolephorus dubiosus, 5.0 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Stolephorus dubiosus
Wongratana, 1983
Thai Anchovy

D 14-15; A 18-20; P1 12; P2 7; LGR 25-31 (usually 26-28).

Body somewhat deep, compressed; abdomen rounded with 4-7 (usually 6-7) small needle-like prepelvic scutes, but no postpelvic scutes; pelvic scute with a spine; a small predorsal spine-like scute present. Posterior tip of maxilla pointed, extending to or beyond posterior border of preopercle; posterior border of preopercle rounded. Isthmus muscle reaching to and beyond gill membrane. Anal fin short, its origin situated below middle of dorsal-fin base; caudal fin large and forked. Scales cycloid; longitudinal scale rows about 34-38. Color: body semi-translucent, with a broad silver stripe midlaterally; a double pigment line on dorsum posterior to dorsal fin. Size: maximum ca. 7.5 cm SL. Distribution: eastern Indian Ocean (northern part of Bay of Bengal) and West Pacific (Gulf of Thailand to Java). Remarks: schooling fish found in coastal waters and estuaries.(Seishi Kimura)