TRICHIURIDAE Tentoriceps cristatus, ca 60 cm (from Miyazaki Pref., Japan; photo by Yukio Iwatsuki) Tentoriceps cristatus (Klunzinger, 1884) Crested Hairtail D V, 126-148; A II; P1 11. Body extremely elongate, compressed and tapering to a fine point. Large cartilaginous flap on tip of lower jaw. Ventral and anal fins reduced to scale-like spines but not visible in the spine. Eye small, positioned to posteriorward off dorsal head profile. Pectoral fins short. Anal fin with I minute 1st spine and I scale-like 2nd spine. Color: body metallic silvery, darker dorsally or with dark cloud-like patches after death; each jaw, dorsal and anal-fin bases sooty. Size: maximum length 1.6 m. Distribution: the Indo-West Pacific species. Remarks: benthopelagic or pelagic, lives in coastal waters from 30 to 110 m depth, not found in low salinity waters. Feeds mainly on small fish, squid and crustaceans, being common offshore and somewhat deeper coastal area (< 200 m). Caught mainly by bottom trawls and sometimes with bag nets, mixed with other trichiurids in Southeast Asian countries. Marketed fresh and dried salted.