Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. (IA mobot31753002848262).pdf/40

 GRUNTERS.

(PRISTIPOMATIDAE.)

This family contains about 130 species belonging to four genera, of which three genera inhabit. our waters, viz. Pristipoma (Gĕrut-gěrut), Diagramma (Těbal bibir) and Pentapus (Sělinching).

The Gĕrut-gěrut are good food fishes and take a bait readily. They are fond of back waters and one species (P. guoraca) is said to have been captured in fresh water.

I have taken several in brackish water and found them, when freshly cooked, excellent eating.

Our largest species (P. hasta) attains a length of about 18 inches and is known in Australian waters as the Queensland Trumpeter. Of this fish Stead writes, "The Australian home of this magnificent food-fish is principally along the coast of Queensland where it is well and favourably known."

The names Gĕrut-gĕrut and Trumpeter are descriptive of the grunting noise the fish makes after capture.

The Tĕbal bibir are also good edible fish and attain a length of two feet or more.

I have no personal knowledge of the Sělinching (Pentapus) and place it here from a description supplied to me, together with a pocket-kodak snap-shot which does not display the fish very well.

SEA-BREAMS.

(SPARIDAE.)

This, again, is an important family which includes many varieties of valuable food fishes. Some are carnivorous.

Following Dr. G. A. Boulenger's classification, the principal genera found in Malayan waters are Scolopsis, Synagris, Caesio, Crenidens, Lethrinus and Sparus.

Of the Gěrětak lantei (Scolopsis spp.) of Singapore, so called from the parallel bands which distinguish most species, I can say little. The only species of Scolopsis with which I am familiar are the Anjang-anjang and Kěrisi bali, which are occasionally taken when fishing for Kěrisi.

The Kěrisi (Synagris spp.) are beautiful little fish of a roseate hue with yellow and silvery bands. They are very common all up the east coast where they can be taken with a line, practically anywhere, in fairly deep water on a sandy bottom.

They average perhaps five or six to the pound but I have taken them up to a pound or more in 30 fathoms near Tioman Island. Kěrisi fishing is, or used to be, the favourite out-door sport of the Malay Princesses of Pahang, and during the S. W. Monsoon regular expeditions were made to the Kĕrisi grounds and