Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. (IA mobot31753002848262).pdf/28

 GAR-FISH, GAR-PIKE AND FLYING-FISH.

(SCOMBRESOCIDAE.)

Most of the members of this family, of which about 200 species are known, are marine: some are carnivorous, and others mainly herbivorous, feeding on green algae. Nearly all are in the habit of making great leaps out of the water, this tendency culminating in the Flying-fish (Exocoetus), and there is every passage between the small pectoral fin of a Gar-fish and the swallow-like "wings" oi the most developed Flying-fish.

They are excellent edible fish and the Todak (Belone spp.) which have green bones are nevertheless very palatable and useful food fish. There is a more or less prevalent idea that fishes with green bones are poisonous; this is one of the popular fallacies which no facts or arguments will ever overcome.

The Puput or Jĕnjulong (Hemirhamphus spp.) or Half-beak can be easily identified by the fact that the lower jaw only is prolonged. Both jaws of the Todak are prolonged into a long slender beak.

The Todak though common is a very shy and wily fish. It gives a boat a wide berth and though a rapid swimming and predacious fish it disdains ordinary lures and baits. The Malay fishermen, however, circumvent them by fishing with a kite from which dangles a length of fine line terminating in a noose. The bait is attached to the noose. Given a breeze sufficient to keep the kite flying, quite good sport is obtained, perhaps a dozen fish or more in an hour. The Todak makes a fierce dash at the bait, the noose tightens round the upper jaw, and the recurved teeth prevent the noose from slipping.

The Puput is also a shy biter when it sees its would-be captor at the other end of a rod or line, and the Malays consequently use short baited lines attached to floats (Pĕlontang puput) which they send adrift and pick up when the movements of the float shew that a fish is firmly hooked.

Flying-fishes are very good eating but not often obtained. I have picked them up on the deck after a squally night at sea.

SAND-SMELTS.

(ATHERINIDAE.)

These pretty little fishes, called Rennyau or Paku in Malay, are common all along our coasts and also frequent estuaries and tidal river. Seale writes:

"It is almost impossible to land at any wharf or to go ashore on any beach without seeing these little fish in countless numbers. They usually grow to a length of from 10 to 12 centimeters. They have a greenish tint on the back and a bright silvery band on the sides.