Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. (IA mobot31753002848262).pdf/36

 BLOW-PIPE FISHES.

(TOXOTIDAE.)

The Ikan sumpit or Sumpit-sumpit (Sumpitan, a blow-pipe) is so named from its method, unique among fishes, of shooting water from its mouth at insects which it perceives close to the surface.

They are very common estuary fishes congregating under pier, fallen trees and branches, where they may be both seen and heard spitting at flies and similar small game, which they knock down with surprising accuracy.

In the second edition of Day's Fishes, this shooting habit is erroneously attributed to another fish, Chelmo rostratus, which is also known to the Malays as Ikan sumpit, and a note under Toxotes reads, "It is stated in some works that these wide mouthed fishes shoot insects with a drop of water The action is one which the mouths of these fishes appear incapable of effecting."

There is ample evidence, however, to prove that Toxotes do shoot, and though their mouths are large it will be noticed that they have the projecting lower jaw of the true cuspidore artist.

Chelmo rostratus, on the other hand, though it has pipe-like projecting jaws, is a fish which is found at sea in the neighbourhood of coral reefs where flies and insects must be rare.

It owes its name "Sumpit-sumpit" to the fact that, after capture, it spurts water through its mouth.

Toxotes chatareus grows to a length of about one foot and I have taken several with a rod when fishing with prawn bait for Siakap, between half and three quarters of a pound. They are quite good eating.

FRESH-WATER PERCHES.

(NANDIDAE.)

I have no information regarding the Kěpau or Patong (Catopra fasciata) which is the sole member of this family recorded in our waters under a Malay name.

SEA-PERCHES.

(SERRANIDAE.)

The very incomplete list in this book gives some 45 species of Sea-perches. The family is a very large and most important one, containing as it does, not only some of our largest fish but also many of our best edible fish including the Ikan merah. Nearly all the members of this family are carnivorous fishes which take a bait readily.

I propose to mention only a few of the most important ones.