GERREIDAE


Gerres oyena, FRLM 30647, 16.3 cm SL

Gerres oyena (Forsskål, 1775)
Common silverbiddy

D IX, 10; A III, 7; P1 15 - 17; LL 35 - 40; GR 3 - 6 + 8 –9 (usually 8). Body oblong, compressed, anterodorsal profile convex. Posterior tip of maxilla extending beyond anterior margin of eye Second dorsal fin spine not elongated; pectoral fins short, not reaching to anal fin origin. Scales mostly absent on premaxillary groove; scale rows above lateral line 4. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant silver ventrally, sometime with faint dark vertical bands laterally; tip of dorsal and caudal fins with black margins; a row of small dusky spots on dorsal fin membrane near base; anal and pelvic fins yellowish. Size: maximum length about 25 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in tropical Indo-Pacific, from eastern coast of Africa to Caroline Is. and Samoa. Remarks: inhabits inshore, especially soft bottom area at depths shallower than 30 m.