Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

Key to Important Genera

Dussumieria

• Branchiostegal rays 11 to 18, no scutes, belly smooth.
• Pelvic fins under dorsal fin base.
• 2 supramaxillae.
• Anal rays 14 to 18.

Spratelloides

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8
• Anal fin short (less than 30 rays)
• Mouth terminal, last dorsal fin ray not filamentous
• Upper jaw without a median notch
• Two supramaxillae
• Scutes absent

 

Sardinella

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8
• Anal fin short (less than 30 rays)
• Mouth terminal, last dorsal fin ray not filamentous
• Upper jaw without a median notch
• Two supramaxillae
• Scutes present
• Opercle smooth
• Gill opening with two fleshy outgrowth; pelvic fin rays 8 or 9; back blue/green
• Fronto-parietal striae (on top of head) usually many, 8 to 19; lower portion of paddle shaped 2 nd supra maxilla equal to upper
• Gill rakers more than 40 in fishes over 5 cm standard length; predorsal scales paired and over lapping in midline

Amblygaster

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8
• Anal fin short (less than 30 rays)
• Mouth terminal, last dorsal fin ray not filamentous
• Upper jaw without a median notch
• Two supramaxillae
• Scutes present
• Opercle smooth
• Gill opening with two fleshy outgrowth; pelvic fin rays 8 or 9; back blue/green
• Fronto-parietal striae (on top of head) usually many, 8 to 19; lower portion of paddle shaped 2 nd supra maxilla equal to upper
• Gill rakers 26 to 43
• Predorsal scales forming a well-defined single median row

Escualosa

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8
• Anal fin short (less than 30 rays)
• Mouth terminal, last dorsal fin ray not filamentous
• Upper jaw without a median notch
• Two supramaxillae
• Scutes present
• Opercle smooth
• Gill opening smoothly rounded
• Pelvic fin rays 7
• Body creamy white

Hilsa

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8; scutes present
• Anal fin short (less than 30 rays)
• Mouth terminal
• Last dorsal fin ray not filamentous
• Upper jaw with a distinct notch at centre
• Fronto-parietal striae (on top of head) many, 8 to 14
• Gill rakers on inner arches distinctly curved outward
• Scales perforated

Tenualosa

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8; scutes present
• Anal fin short (less than 30 rays)
• Mouth terminal
• Last dorsal fin ray not filamentous
• Upper jaw with a distinct notch at centre
• Fronto-parietal striae weakly developed, usually hidden by skin
• Gill rakers on inner arches straight
• Scales unperforated

Nematolosa

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8
• Scutes present
• Anal fin short
• Mouth inferior
• Lower jaw flared at corners
• Last dorsal fin ray filamentous
• Predorsal scales paired

Ilisha

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8
• Scutes present
• Anal fin long (more than 30 rays)
• Lower jaw very prominent
• No toothed hypomaxilla
• Pelvic fins present
• Anal fin rays 34 to 53

Opisthopterus

• Branchiostegal rays 4 to 8
• Scutes present
• Anal fin long (more than 30 rays)
• Lower jaw very prominent
• No toothed hypomaxilla
• No pelvic fins
• Anal fin rays 51 to 65