Kolitha-Marine Food Fish

Amblygaster clupeoides (Bleeker,1845)
Marine food fish (Bleeker smooth belly sardinella )
•Family: Clupeidae.
In •Common names: Mapolamassa, Gal hurulla, Mapolama.
•Max. size: 17.0 cm SL.
Sri Lanka. •Environment: Reef-associated; marine.

•Importance: Fisheries: commercial;
Bait: usually.
Department of Fisheries Biology,

University of Ruhuna,
Matara,
Sri Lanka.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 0-0;
•Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21;
•Anal spines: 0-0;
•Anal soft rays: 12-23.
•Body moderately deep, belly rather rounded, scutes not
prominent.
•Distinguished from A. sirm by the absence of spots
along the flank (gold in life, black on preservation) and
fewer lower gill rakers.
•Closely resembles A. leiogaster, which has more lower
gill rakers.
•Round-bodied Sardinella species have i 8 pelvic fin rays
and more than 100 lower gill rakers.
Amblygaster clupeoides.
Diagnosis:
Amblygaster sirm (Walbaum,1792) •Dorsal spines (total): 0-0;
(Spotted sardinella)
•Family: Clupeidae.
•Common names: Hurulla, Keerimeen.
•Scutes not prominent.
•Max. size: 23.0 cm SL. •Distinguished from A. clupeoides and A. leiogaster by the
•Environment: Reef-associated; marine.
presence of a series of 10 to 20 gold (in life) or black (on
•Importance: Fisheries: commercial;
preservation) spots down the flank (but sometimes
Bait: usually. missing) and more lower gill rakers; from Sardinops
species by the absence of a bony radiating striae on its
operculum; from Sardinella species by its fewer pelvic
fin rays and lower gill rakers.
1
Auxis rochei rochei (Risso,1810)
(Bullet tuna )
Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos).

Max. size: 50.0 cm.
Environment: pelagic; oceanodromous; brackish; marine.
Importance: Fisheries: highly commercial.
Amblygaster sirm.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 9-12; Auxis rochei rochei
.
•Anal soft rays: 12-14
Diagnosis:
Auxis thazard thazard (Lacepeds,1800)
(Frigate tuna)
•Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos).
•Anal soft rays: 10-14
•Max. size: 65.0 cm FL
•Second dorsal very low.
Max. published weight: 1,720 g.
•Anal similar to second dorsal.
•Environment: Pelagic; oceanodromous; marine
•Bluish brown above with irregular marking of blue or
•Importance: Fisheries: highly commercial
green back.
•Silvery bellow.
•Fins brownish.
2
Auxis thazard thazard Auxis thazard thazard
Aetobatus narinari. (Euphrasen,1790). Diagnosis:

(Spotted eagle ray) •Dorsal spines (total): 0-0;
•Anal spines: 0-0.
•Family: Myliobatidae (Eagle and manta rays). •An eagle ray with a long snout, flat and rounded like a
Common names: Vavoul maduva. duck's bill, a thick head, and a pectoral disc with
•Max. size: 300 cm WD. sharply curved, angular corners, and no caudal fin; jaws
Max. published weight: 230.0 kg. usually with single row of flat, chevron-shaped teeth.
•Environment: Reef-associated; brackish; marine ; •Each tooth a crescent-shaped plate joined into a band.
depth range 1 - 80 m. •Numerous white spots on black or bluish disc; white
•Importance: Fisheries: minor commercial. below .
•Long whip like tail, with a long spine near the base,
behind small dorsal fin. No spines on disk
Aetobatus narinari.
Aetobatus narinari.
3
Alepes vari (Cuvier,1833). Diagnosis:
(Herring scad) •Dorsal spines (total): 9-9;
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos). •Anal spines: 3-3;
Max. size: 56.0 cm TL. •Anal soft rays: 20-23.
Environment: Pelagic; brackish; marine •This species resembles A. para, but has a body profile
Importance: Fisheries: minor commercial. which is equally convex above and below.
•Its lateral line becomes straight below the third ray of
the soft dorsal fin.
•The opercular blotch is either absent or indistinct.
Arius coelatus (Valenciennes,1840)

(Engraved catfish)
Family: Ariidae (Sea catfishes).

Common names: Anguluva.
Max. size: 45.0 cm TL.
Environment: Demersal; brackish; marine.
Importance: Fisheries: commercial.
Alepes vari.
Diagnosis:
•Head profile concave at nape.
•Head shield strongly rugose and granulated; supra-
occipital process short, about as long as broad, with
median keel, hind end concave.
•Dorsal and pectoral fins with very strong, thick, and
coarsely granulated spine; tip of dorsal spine produced
into a long filament; adipose fin rather large.
•Body with metallic blue luster.
•Tip of dorsal fin blackish, its filament black; pectoral,
pelvic and anal fins dusky; caudal fin paler; adipose fin
either entirely black or bearing a large black blotch on Arius caelatus.
upper half.
4
Arius bilineatus (Valenciennes,1840) Diagnosis:
(Bronze catfish) •Dorsal spines (total): 1-1;
Family: Ariidae (Sea catfishes). •Anal soft rays: 17-21;
Common names: Thora anguluva, Mudhu anguluva. •Vertebrae: 53-58.
Max. size: 62.0 cm SL. •Dorsomedian head groove bordered posteriorly by
Environment: Demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine. slightly raised frontals and forming a "V".
•Gill rakers usually absent on hind aspect of first 2 gill
arches.
•Caudal fin lobes slender and tapered.
•Adipose fin short-based and located posteriorly.
Caesio caerulaurea (Lacepede,1801)

(Blue and gold fusilier)
•Family: Caesionidae (Fusiliers).

•Max. size: 35.0 cm TL.
•Environment: Reef-associated; non-migratory; marine ;
depth range 5 - 50 m.
•Importance: Fisheries: commercial.
Arius bilineatus.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Caesio caerulaurea
•Supra-temporal band of scales often interrupted by a
•V-shaped scaleless zone anteriorly at midline.
•Upper peduncular scale rows usually 11 (10-12); lower
peduncular scale rows usually 15 (14-15).
•Post maxillary process single; posterior end of maxilla
blunt.
•Color: Upper body bluish, lower body white to pale
bluish.
•Golden band from above the eye, running straight along
the body to upper caudal peduncle and continuing on the
caudal fin to the tip of the upper lobe, becoming near
black on the fin.
•A second similar streak in lower lobe.
5
Caesio caerulaurea Carangoides armatus (Ruppell,1830)
(Long fin trevally)
•Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos).

•Common names: Armed trevally, Tangah-parah.
•Max. size: 57.0 cm TL (male/unsexed.
•Environment: Reef-associated; brackish; marine
•Importance: Fisheries: commercial
Carangoides armatus
Diagnosis:
•Deep body .
•Breast without scales.
•The snout is sub equal in length to the eye.
•The first dorsal and anal fins become prolonged with
growth.
•Males have prolonged middle rays of the soft dorsal fin.
Caranx heberi (Bennett,1830).

Carangoides armatus Black tip trevally
•Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)

Common names: Atanagul parava.
Max. published weight: 12.5 kg
•Environment: Reef-associated; non-migratory;
brackish; marine
•Importance: fisheries: minor commercial;
Game fish: yes
6
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Caranx heberi.
•Dark bronze to yellow-green above, silvery bronze to
yellowish below.
•LL with 30-40 scutes.
•Identified by black-tipped caudal fin
Caranx heberi. Caranx sexfasciatus (Quoy & Gaimard,1825 )

Bigeye trevally
•Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos).

Common names: Inguru parava.
•Max. size: 120 cm TL. Max.
Published weight: 18.0 kg.
•Environment: reef-associated; freshwater; brackish;
marine.
•Importance: fisheries: commercial;
Game fish: yes
Diagnosis:
•Body color iridescent blue-green dorsally, silvery white
below.
•Soft dorsal lobe and anal fin with white-tipped lobes.
•Caudal yellowish to black.
•Pectoral fins falcate; anal fin with 2 detached spines.
•Upper edge of opercle with a small blackish spot.
•27-36 strong, dark scutes.
•Breast fully scaled.
Caranx sexfasciatus
7
Caranx sexfasciatus Chirocentrus dorab (Forsskal,1775).
Dorab wolf-herring.
•Family: Chirocentridae (Wolf herring).

•Common names: Pat katuvalla, Panu katuvalla,
Podi katuvalla.
•Max. size: 100.0 cm SL (male)
36.6 cm SL (female)
•Environment: reef-associated; brackish; marine ;
depth range - 120 m.
•Importance: fisheries: commercial.
Game fish: yes.
Bait: usually
Diagnosis: Chirocentrus dorab

•Scales numerous, small, usually lost.
•Silvery; back bright blue (fading to grey); flanks bright
silver.
•The slightly shorter pectoral fin and the black marking
of the upper part of the dorsal fin are the only
satisfactory characters separating this species from
C. nudus.
•Fins spineless; with numerous dagger-like teeth
Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus,1758) Diagnosis:

Common dolphin fish •Dorsal spines (total): 0-0;
•Family: Coryphaenidae(Dolphin fishes) •Anal spines: 0-0;
•Common names: Galvannava, Dhiya vannava, Vannava. •Anal soft rays: 25-31;
•Max. size: 210 cm TL. •Vertebrae: 31-31.
Max. published weight: 40.0 kg. •Greatest body depth in adults less than 25% of
•Environment: pelagic; oceanodromous; brackish; marine standard length.
depth range 0 - 85 m. •Pectoral fin more than half of head length.
•Importance: fisheries: highly commercial. •Mature males posses a prominent bony crest in front
Aquaculture: commercial. of the head.
Game fish: yes •The color is striking with golden hues on the sides,
metallic blues and greens on the back and sides, with
white and yellow on the under parts.
•Small specimens have pronounced vertical bars on the
sides of the body.
8
Coryphaena hippurus
Coryphaena hippurus
Cynoglossus arel (Bloch & Schneider,1801).

Cynoglossus arel
Large-scale tongue sole
•Family: Cynoglossidae (Tongue fishes).

Common names: Adalla, Handhalla.
•Max. size: 40.0 cm TL
•Environment: demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine ;
•Importance: fisheries: commercial
Diagnosis:
Decapterus russelli (Ruppell, 1830). •Dorsal spines (total): 9-9;
Indian scad . •Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-31;
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos). •Anal soft rays: 25-28;
Common names: Kade mariya, Amparatiya, •Lateral line curved below soft dorsal and with 30-44
Koralava. strong scutes.
Max. size: 45.0 cm TL. •Color bluish green above, silvery below.
Max. published weight: 110 g . •Caudal fin hyaline to yellowish.
Environment: Benthopelagic; marine ; depth range •Dorsal fins hyaline basally, light dusky distally.
40 - 275 m. •Opercle with small, black spot; opercular membrane
Global Importance: Fisheries: highly commercial; with smooth margin.
bait: occasionally. •Snout longer than eye diameter.
9
Decapterus russelli
Decapterus russelli.
Euthynnus affinis (Cantor,1849). Diagnosis:

Kawakawa •Dorsal spines (total): 11-14;
•Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos). •Anal soft rays: 13-14;
•Common names: Ragoduva,Atavalla, Sureya. •Vertebrae: 39-39.
• Max. size: 100.0 cm FL. •Swim bladder absent.
Max. published weight: 14.0 kg. •No trace of vertebral protuberances.
•Environment: pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth •Anterior spines of first dorsal fin much higher than
range - 50 m. those mid-way.
•Importance: fisheries: highly commercial. •Interpelvic process small and bifid.
Game fish: yes •Body naked except for corselet and lateral line.
•Posterior portion of the back with a pattern of
broken oblique stripes.
Euthynnus affinis Euthynnus affinis
10
Epinephelus merra (Bloch,1793). Diagnosis:
Honeycomb grouper. •Dorsal spines (total): 11-11;
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy •Anal spines: 3-3;
basslets). •Anal soft rays: 8-8.
Common names: Pulli kossa. •A series of about five darker diagonal bands, each two
Max. size: 31.0 cm TL. to five hexagons wide, superimposed on sides and
Environment: reef-associated; marine ; depth range radiating from eye; hexagons on sides may coalesce
0 - 50 m. into short rows.
Global Importance: fisheries: commercial.
Aquaculture: commercial.
Game fish: yes.
Aquarium: public aquariums.
Epinephelus merra. Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw,1792).

Indo-Pacific sailfish
•Family: Istiophoridae(Billfishes).
Common names: Thalapatha
•Max. size: 348 cm FL.
Max. published weight: 100.2 kg.
•Environment: pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth
range - 30 m
•Importance: fisheries: commercial.
Game fish: yes
Istiophorus platypterus
Diagnosis:
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0;
Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7;
Anal spines: 2-2;
Anal soft rays: 12-15.
A slender billfish with a high, sail-like first dorsal fin.
11
Istiophorus platypterus Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus,1758).
Skipjack tuna

Common names: Balaya, Bonito.
Max. size: 108 cm FL.
Environment: pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth
range 0 - 260 m.
Global Importance: fisheries: highly commercial.
Game fish: yes.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 14-16; Katsuwonus pelamis.
•Anal soft rays: 14-15;
•Inter pelvic process small and bifid.
•Body without scales except for the corselet and the
lateral line.
•Swim bladder absent.
•The back is dark purplish blue, lower sides and belly
silvery, with 4 to six very conspicuous longitudinal
dark bands which in live specimens may appear as
continuous lines of dark blotches.
Diagnosis:
Leiognathus equulus (Forsskal,1775). •Dorsal spines (total): 8-8;
Common pony fish
•Family: Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes
•Common names: Hotu panna, Mas karalla.
•Deep-bodied with short rounded snout and large eyes.
•Body silvery; caudal peduncle with a small brown saddle.
•Environment: reef-associated; freshwater; brackish;
•Anal fins yellowish.
marine ; depth range 10 - 110 m.
•Dorsal fin transparent.
•Importance: fisheries: minor commercial.
•Strongly arched back.
•Naked head; with nuchal spine.
•Protracted mouth pointing downward.
12
Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes,1847).
Leiognathus equulus
Congaturi halfbeak
Family: Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks).

Common names: Marandha, Moralla.
Max. size: 25.0 cm SL
Environment: pelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine.
Importance: fisheries: minor commercial.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Hyporhamphus limbatus
•Greatly prolonged, beak-like lower jaw, equal to, or
longer than head length; upper jaw short, triangular
and scaly, its width 0.6-0.8 times in its length.
•Preorbital distance 1.3-2.1 times in diameter of orbit
and 0.75-1.2 times in length of upper jaw.
•Total number of gill rakers on first gill arch 23-37.
•Anal fin rays 13-16; caudal fin emarginate, not strongly
forked.
Myripristis botche (Cuvier,1829). Diagnosis:

Black tip soldier fish •Dorsal spines (total): 11-11;
Family: Holocentridae (Squirrel fishes, soldierfishes) •Anal spines: 4-4;
Common names: Balal maruva, Lota. •Anal soft rays: 11-12.
Max. size: 24.7 cm SL. •Front of head red; postorbital head and body silvery
Environment: reef-associated; marine ; depth range •White.
25 - 71 m. •Edges of scales red.
Importance: fisheries: minor commercial. •Spinous dorsal whitish on basal half, red on outer half;
•median fins red with white leading edges, the lobe tips
•with a large black spot.
•Paired fins whitish.
•Soft dorsal, anal and caudal fin with bright white
•margins and black areas at the tips.
13
Myripristis botche
Myripristis botche
Opisthopterus tardoore (Cuvier,1829). Diagnosis:

Tardoore •Dorsal spines (total): 0-0;
Family: Clupeidae (Herrings, shads, sardines, menhadens) •Anal soft rays: 51-63.
Common names: Maisthre lagga,Panniki lagga, Poruwava, •Belly convex in front, with 29 to 35 scutes.
Thottawa. •Mouth pointing obliquely upward; lower gill rakers 22
Max. size: 20.0 cm SL to 28, increasing with size of fish.
Environment: pelagic; brackish; marine •Pectoral fin usually about equal to head length or
Importance: fisheries: minor commercial greater; dorsal fin small, well behind midpoint of body;
anal fin long, its origin well before dorsal fin origin.
Pellona ditchela (Valenciennes, 1847).

Indian pellona
Family: Pristigasteridae (Pristigasterids).

Common names: Udassa.
Max. size: 16.0 cm SL.
Environment: pelagic; anadromous; freshwater;
brackish; marine ; depth range 10 - 55 m.
Global Importance: fisheries: commercial.
Bait: usually.
Opisthopterus tardoore
14
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Pellona ditchela.
•Dorsal soft rays (total): 0;
•Belly with usually 18 or 19 + 8 or 9, total 26 to 28
scutes, strongly keeled.
•Eye large.
•Dorsal fin origin near midpoint of body.
•Scales with upper and lower vertical striae slightly
overlapping each other at center of scales.
Diagnosis:
Pennahia anea (Bloch,1793). •Dorsal spines (total): 10-11;
Greyfin croaker. •Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-24;
Family: Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers). •Anal soft rays: 7-7.
Common names: Pennah. •Mental pores in 2 pairs, both small, the first pair at
Max. size: 30.0 cm SL. front of chin, separated by symphysis.
Environment: demersal; marine ; depth range - 60 m. •Gill rakers slender, as long as gill filaments at angle of
Global Importance: fisheries: commercial. arch, 9-12 on lower limb.
•Dorsal fin with 22-24 soft rays.
•Second anal spine short, slender, 22-36 % of head
length.
•Caudal fin truncate.
•Scales cycloid (smooth) on head and flanks.
•Nape with a diffused dusky blotch.
Platycephalus indicus (Linnaeus,1758).

Bar tail flathead.
Family: Platycephalidae (Flatheads).

Common names: Mudhu valigouva.
Max. size: 100.0 cm TL .
Environment: Reef-associated; non-migratory; brackish;
Importance: fisheries: commercial.
Game fish: yes.
Pennahia anea
15
Diagnosis:
Dorsal spines (total): 9-10;
Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13;
Anal spines: 0-0;
Anal soft rays: 13-13.
Brownish or grayish above, whitish below.
Caudal fin 2-3 horizontal black stripes.
Head strongly depressed.
Preopercular spines 2, lower usually longest.
Anterior most lateral line scale usually with a small spine
or ridge.
Diagonal scale rows slanting backward above lateral line
83-107.
Iris lappet a single elongated lobe.
Identified by the distinctive color pattern on the caudal
Fin.
Platycephalus indicus.
Centrally yellow and black stripes on upper and lower mar
Plectorhinchus schotaf (Forsskal,1975).

Minstrel sweetlip.
Family: Haemulidae (Grunts).

Common names: Boraluva, Gal modha, Gobeya.
Environment: reef-associated; brackish; marine ; depth
range - 80 m.
Game fish: yes
Platycephalus indicus.
Plectorhinchus schotaf
Plectorhinchus schotaf .
16
Plotosus canius (Hamilton,1822). Diagnosis:
Gray eel-catfish. •A plain dusky-brown species with a black dorsal fin tip.
•Shows banded pattern at night.
Family: Plotosidae (Eel tail catfishes). •Distinguished from adult Plotosus lineatus by its long
Common names: Kana magura, Kakapos magura. •barbels on the nostrils that can reach pass the eyes.
Max. size: 150 cm TL
Environment: Demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine
Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier,1816).

Indian mackerel.
Plotosus canius
Family: Scombridae(Mackerels, tunas, bonitos).
Max. size: 35.0 cm FL.
Common names: Kumbalava, Maha kara bolla.
Environment: reef-associated; marine ;
Importance: fisheries: highly commercial.
Game fish: yes; bait: occasionally
Diagnosis:
Rastrelliger kanagurta
•Head longer than body depth.
•Maxilla partly concealed, covered by lachrymal bone
but extending to about hind margin of eye.
•A black spot on body near lower margin of pectoral fin.
•Interpelvic process small and single.
•Swim bladder present. Anal spine rudimentary.
17
Rastrelliger kanagurta Rhizoprionodon acutus (Ruppell,1837).
Milk shark .
Family: Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks).

Common names: Kiri mora.
Max. size: 175 cm TL.
Environment: Benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish;
Game fish: yes
Diagnosis:
Rhizoprionodon acutus
•A small shark with a long, narrow, snout, big eyes
without notches.
•Long labial furrows, and oblique-cusped.
•Teeth which may be smooth-edged or weakly serrated;
•2nd dorsal fin small.
•Low and behind larger anal fin; no interdorsal ridge.
•Grey or grey-brown above, white below.
•Dorsal and anal fins with dusky or blackish edges, fins
slightly darker than back.
Sarda orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel,1844). Diagnosis:

Striped bonito •Dorsal spines (total): 17-19;
Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos). •Anal soft rays: 14-16;
Max. size: 102 cm FL. •Mouth moderately large.
Max. published weight: 10.7 kg. •Laminae of olfactory rosette 21 to 39.
Environment: pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth •Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body completely
range 1 - 30 m. •covered with very small scales posterior to the corselet
Global Importance: fisheries: minor commercial. •Swim bladder absent.
Game fish: yes. •Spleen large and prominent in ventral view.
•Liver with elongate left and right lobes and a short
middle lobe.
•Back with narrow oblique stripes.
18
Sarda orientalis Sardinella fimbriata (Valencinnes,1847).
Fringescale sardinella
Family: Clupeidae(Herrings, shads, sardines, menhadens)

Common names: Gal salaya.
Environment: Pelagic; marine ; depth range - 5 m.
Diagnosis:
Sardinella albella.
•Dorsal spines (total): 0-0.
•Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21.
•Body somewhat compressed but variable.
•Total number of scutes 29 to 33.
•Vertical striae on scales not meeting at center, hind
part of scales with a few perforations and (in Indian
Ocean specimens) somewhat produced posteriorly.
•A dark spot at dorsal fin origin.
Saurida tumbil (Bloch,1795). Diagnosis:

Greater lizardfish. •Dorsal spines (total): 0-0.
Family: Synodontidae (Lizardfishes). •Anal spines: 0-0.
Common names: Mudhu balla. •Anal soft rays: 10-11.
Max. size: 60.0 cm FL. •Body is cigar-shaped, rounded or slightly compressed.
Environment: Reef-associated; marine ; depth range •The head pointed and depressed.
10 - 60 m. •The snout broader than long.
Importance: Fisheries: commercial. •Color is generally brown above and silver below; the
back with faint cross bands.
•The tips of the dorsal and pectorals and the lower
caudal lobe blackish.
19
Saurida tumbil Scomberoides commersonnianus .
(Lacepede,1801).
Talang queen fish.
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos).

Common names: Kattawa.
Max. size: 120 cm TL.
Environment: Reef-associated; brackish; marine.
Importance: fisheries: minor commercial.
Game fish: yes.
Diagnosis: Scomberoides commersonnianus

•Color dusky green dorsally, silvery below; dorsal lobe
dusky to dark & evenly pigmented.
•Upper jaw extending well beyond eye.
•Midbody scales oval-shaped.
•Soft dorsal & anal fins with semi-detached finlets.
•Scales small & lanceolate, partly embedded.
Scomberoides commersonnianus Scomberomorus guttatus

(Bloch & Schneider,1801).
Indo-Pacific king mackerel.

Common names: Anjilava, Alu thora, Genu thora.
Max. size: 76.0 cm FL.
Environment: Pelagic; oceanodromous; brackish; marine
Game fish: yes.
20
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 15-18. Scomberomorus guttatus
•Dorsal soft rays (total):18-24.
•Interpelvic process small and bifid.
•Swim bladder absent.
•Body entirely covered with small scales.
•Lateral line with many auxiliary branches extending
dorsally and ventrally in anterior third, curving down
toward caudal peduncle.
•Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs.
•Sides silvery white with several rows of round dark
brownish spots scattered in about three irregular rows
along the lateral line.
•First dorsal fin membrane black.
Scomberomorus guttatus
Scomberomorus guttatus
Sillago sihama (Forsskal,1775). Diagnosis:

Silver sillago. •Dorsal spines (total): 12-13.
Family: Sillaginidae (Smelt-whitings). •Anal spines: 2-2.
Common names: Kalanda. •Anal soft rays: 21-23.
Max. size: 30.0 cm SL. •Swim bladder with two anterior and two posterior
Environment: Reef-associated; non-migratory; extensions.
brackish; marine ; depth range 0 - 60 m. •Two posterior tapering extensions of the swim bladder
Importance: Fisheries: commercial. project into the caudal region, one usually longer than
Aquaculture: commercial. the other.
•The species has a low lateral line with about 70 scales
21
Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre,1788).
Sillago sihama Yellow fin tuna.

Common names: Howalla, As geddi kelawalla, Kelawalla,
Pihatu kelawalla.
Environment: Reef-associated; oceanodromous;
brackish; marine ; depth range 1 - 250 m.
Game fish: yes.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 11-14. Thunnus albacares
•Fish with very long second dorsal fin and anal fin,
which in some may reach well over 20% of the FL.
•The pectoral fin is moderately long, usually reaching
beyond the second dorsal fin origin but not beyond
the end of its base.
•Color is black metallic dark blue changing through
yellow to silver on the belly.
•The belly frequently has about 20 broken, nearly
vertical lines.
•The dorsal and anal fins and finlets are bright yellow.
Xiphias gladius (Linnaeus,1758).

Swordfish.
Family: Xiphiidae (Swordfish).

Common names: Kadu koppara.
Environment: pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth
range 0 - 800 m.
Global Importance: Fisheries: commercial.
Game fish: yes.
Thunnus albacares
22
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 0-0.
•Blackish-brown fading to light-brown below.
•1st dorsal fin with blackish-brown membrane, other
fins brown or blackish-brown .
•A long, flat, sword-like bill and no pelvic fins.
Xiphias gladius
Sphyraena jello (Cuvier,1829). Diagnosis:

Pickhandle barracuda. •Dorsal spines (total): 6-6.
Family: Sphyraenidae (Barracudas). •Anal spines: 2-2.
Common names: Silava, Jeela. •Anal soft rays: 7-9.
Max. size: 150 cm TL. •Body with dark bars crossing lateral line, each bar
Max. published weight: 11.5 kg. oblique in upper half, but nearly vertical in lower half;
Environment: reef-associated; brackish; marine ; caudal fin largely yellowish.
Game fish: yes.
Sphyraena jello
Sphyraena jello
23
Strongylura strongylura . Diagnosis:
(Van Hasselt,1823). •Dorsal spines (total): 0-0.
Spottail needlefish. •Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15.
Family: Belonidae (Needlefishes). •Anal soft rays: 15-18.
Common names: Dhiya moralla. •Round in cross section.
Max. size: 40.0 cm SL. •Dorsal fin rays 12-15.
Environment: pelagic; brackish; marine ; depth range •Anal fin rays 15-18.
10 - 13 m. •Caudal peduncle without lateral keels.
Global Importance: Fisheries: commercial. •Caudal fin rounded or truncate.
•Pre dorsal scales few and relatively large, 100-130.
•Caudal fin light with a prominent round black spot near
its base.
•Dorsal fin lobe and distal margin of caudal fin yellow in
live adults, anterior margin of anal fin orange.
Strongylura leiura (Bleeker,1850).

Strongylura strongylura Banded needlefish.
Family: Belonidae (Needlefishes).

Common names: Habareliya.
Environment: Reef-associated; oceanodromous; brackish;
marine ; depth range - 0 m.
Game fish: yes.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 0-0. Strongylura leiura
•Laterally compressed; origin of dorsal fin over 7th-10th
ray of anal fin.
•Dorsal fin rays 17-21.
•Anal fin rays 23-25.
•Caudal peduncle without lateral keels.
•Caudal fin emarginate.
•Pre dorsal scales moderately small, 130-180.
•Caudal fin sub truncate.
•A black bar on cheek between opercle and preopercle.
•Greenish dorsally, grading to silvery white ventrally.
24
Stolephorus commersonnii (Lacepede,1803) Diagnosis:
Commerson's anchovy. •Dorsal spines (total): 0-0.
Family: Engraulidae (Anchovies). •Anal soft rays: 18-19.
Common names: Halmassa. •Belly slightly rounded with 0-5 small needle-like pre-
Max. size: 10.0 cm SL. pelvic scutes.
Environment: pelagic; brackish; marine •Maxilla tip pointed, reaching to or a little beyond hind
Global Importance: fisheries: commercial. border of pre-operculum, the latter convex, rounded.
•Small teeth on hyoid bones.
•Isthmus muscle tapering evenly forward.
•Body light transparent fleshy brown with a pair of dar
patches behind occiput, followed by a pair of lines to
dorsal fin origin.
•Bears a silver stripe on flanks.
Stolephorus commersonnii
Stolephorus indicus (Van Hasselt,1823).
Indian anchovy.
Family: Engraulidae (Anchovies).

Common names: Halmassa, Handalla.
Environment: Reef-associated; oceanodromous.
freshwater; brackish; marine ; depth range 20 - 50 m.
Global Importance: fisheries: minor commercial; bait:
occasionally.
Diagnosis:
•Dorsal spines (total): 0-0. Stolephorus indicus .
•Belly with 2 to 6 small needle-like pre-pelvic scutes.
•Maxilla tip pointed, reaching to or only just beyond
front border of pre-operculum; hind border of pre-
operculum convex, rounded.
•Isthmus muscle tapering evenly forward to hind border
of branchial membrane.
•Body light transparent fleshy brown, with silver
stripe down flank; no dark pigment lines on back
between head and dorsal fin.
25
Reference:
Ian s. R. Munro(1951)-The marine and freshwater
Fishes of Ceylon.
www.fishbase.com
Prepared by;
B.K.Kolitha Kamal(B.Sc-Sp-Fisheries Biology)
Department of Fisheries Biology,
University of Ruhuna,
Sri Lanka.
2004/06/20.
26

Kolitha-Marine Food Fish

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Kolitha-Marine Food Fish

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Amblygaster clupeoides (Bleeker,1845)

Marine food fish (Bleeker smooth belly sardinella )

Sri Lanka. •Environment: Reef-associated; marine.

Department of Fisheries Biology,

Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos).

Aetobatus narinari. (Euphrasen,1790). Diagnosis:

Arius coelatus (Valenciennes,1840)

Family: Ariidae (Sea catfishes).

Caesio caerulaurea (Lacepede,1801)

•Family: Caesionidae (Fusiliers).

•Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos).

Caranx heberi (Bennett,1830).

•Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)

Caranx heberi. Caranx sexfasciatus (Quoy & Gaimard,1825 )

•Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos).

•Family: Chirocentridae (Wolf herring).

Diagnosis: Chirocentrus dorab

Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus,1758) Diagnosis:

Cynoglossus arel (Bloch & Schneider,1801).

•Family: Cynoglossidae (Tongue fishes).

Euthynnus affinis (Cantor,1849). Diagnosis:

Euthynnus affinis Euthynnus affinis

Epinephelus merra. Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw,1792).

Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos).

Family: Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks).

Myripristis botche (Cuvier,1829). Diagnosis:

Opisthopterus tardoore (Cuvier,1829). Diagnosis:

Pellona ditchela (Valenciennes, 1847).

Family: Pristigasteridae (Pristigasterids).

Platycephalus indicus (Linnaeus,1758).

Family: Platycephalidae (Flatheads).

Plectorhinchus schotaf (Forsskal,1975).

Family: Haemulidae (Grunts).

Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier,1816).

Family: Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks).

Sarda orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel,1844). Diagnosis:

Family: Clupeidae(Herrings, shads, sardines, menhadens)

Saurida tumbil (Bloch,1795). Diagnosis:

Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos).

Diagnosis: Scomberoides commersonnianus

Scomberoides commersonnianus Scomberomorus guttatus

Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos).

Sillago sihama (Forsskal,1775). Diagnosis:

Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos).

Xiphias gladius (Linnaeus,1758).

Family: Xiphiidae (Swordfish).

Sphyraena jello (Cuvier,1829). Diagnosis:

Strongylura leiura (Bleeker,1850).

Family: Belonidae (Needlefishes).

Family: Engraulidae (Anchovies).

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