Chelon planiceps (Valenciennes, 1836)

(Figure: 14)

D1: IV; D2: 8 A: III, 9; Pc: 14–15; Pl: I, 5 L. S: 33–34; T .S: 11–13

Local name: Boi, Chhodi (Sin); Mundi (Bal)

FAO name: Tade mullet

Material examined. 7 specimens of 170–183 mm TL

Diagnosis. B ody depth at origin of first dorsal fin is 26–28 % of SL, 29–31% of SL at anal fin and 12% of SL at caudal peduncle. Head pointed, broad and dorsally depressed. Second spine of first dorsal fin is slightly larger than the first spine. Pectoral fin 20–21% of SL, 69–71 % of HL. Scale numbers: 33–34 in longitudinal series and 11–13 in transverse series

Description. Body elongated, quite slender, body depth is smaller than HL. Snout pointed, shorter than eye TABLE I. Morphometric data and meristic counts of six mullet species in two genera collected from the Pakistan coast.

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diameter. Adipose eye-fold developed moderately and covering almost entire iris. Terminal mouth, thin lips, lower lips directed forward. First dorsal fin origin is nearer to the base of caudal fin than to the snout tip. Second dorsal fin origin is at vertical behind one third or half of anal fin base. Dorsal and anal fins are relatively curved and basally scaled. Forked caudal fin. First pectoral fin has 14–15 spines reaching to the first dorsal fin origin. Axillary scale on pectoral fin is reduced. Scales Ctenoid.

Color. Dorsally olive or greenish brown, flanks silvery, ventrally whitish, upper scale rows with 5–7 indistinct longitudinal stripes. Light brown to greyish dorsal fin, yellowish pectoral fin, greyish to light blue caudal fin with black edges.

Distribution: Collected from Keti Bunder, Gwadar and Pasni.

Remarks. The distinctive character of C. planiceps is its pointed, depressed head. It is similar to L. subviridis and L.parsia in number of scale counts, well developed adipose tissue and number of fin rays.