Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. (IA mobot31753002848262).pdf/48

 When freshly caught and cooked they are all excellent eating, but they do not keep well.

The Chĕncharu is quite common and is found in large shoals. When in season, large numbers will be found in the markets and if quite fresh they are good edible fish. They are said to attain a length of 5 feet.

All the Sělar are good eating, but the fresher they are the better. They give good sport with a light rod and small hook, to which a few small white feathers have been "whipped."

They like shade and will be found in the neighbourhood of piers and under vessels. When cruising, I have often noticed Sělar taking shelter under my yacht, when we were becalmed, and if the period coincided with a meal time, we used to catch as many as we wanted in a few minutes.

There are, at times, large numbers of Sělar in shallow water off Singapore as, probably, many sea-side residents know.

The Chermin (C. gallus) is a deep-bodied fish somewhat resembling the Dory in shape and is one of the best, if not the best, food fish in this family. It is found generally on reefs; takes a prawn or fish bait, and gives splendid sport as it fights very hard and takes a bit of playing.

Specimens 2 feet in length are not uncommon and it is said to grow to five feet in length. It is known in Australia as the Silvery Moon-fish.

The Nyior nyior (Trachynotus ovatus and T. bailloni) are known in Australia as the Dart. These fish must be fresh to be appreciated.

The Talang (Chorinemus spp.) is a common fish in the markets and fairly popular with most Asiatics, but some Malays have a prejudice against it and will tell you that it gives them an irritating and disfiguring affection of the skin.

It may be that the general appearance of these fish, all of which have a row of dark blotches along the side, may suggest the unsightly blotches seen on the faces, bodies and limbs of natives who are afflicted with certain kinds of skin disease, kĕdal, sopak, etc. or that the consumption of this fish when not perfectly fresh causes urticaria, but the subject should be worth investigation.

One local species of Talang (S. sancti-petri) is known also in Australia as the Queen-fish, and another (S. tooloo-parah) is known also in Philippine waters as the Talang-talang.

There are many other excellent food fish in this family including the Lĕmbudok or Děmudok, Gěrěpoh and Berkas, not specifically identified.

The generic term by which the Caranx branch of this family is known to the Moros, in the Philippines, is Daing puti. The name Daing bělang occurs locally and is applied to Caranx speciosus and C. compressus.