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Though most of die members do not grow to more than a foot in length,
some like Megcilaspis cordyala and Scombroides tala are large varieties.
Most of the lesser varieties are commonly known as horse mackerels
(species of the genus Selar, Citule and Caranx). The three species of
Trachynotus are commonly known as the pseudo-pomfrets. Scombraides
tala, also called port hole fish because of the circular marks on the body
resembling port holes, is one of the very few carangids growing to about 4
to 5 feet in length. As a group, horse mackeral are not very popular as food
fish, but when cured with salt, they are acceptable to many. Their catch
averages 1,300 tonnes per annum.
The snappers, belonging to the family Lutianidae, are so called because of
their habit of snapping at baits, rendering them easy to be caught on lines.
They are mostly inhabitants of rocky regions and coral reefs in tropical
waters. This family is represented in our waters by nine species and most
of them, being colourful, are good aquarium fishes. As food fish also, they
are appreciated by all classes.
(21) LEOGNATH1DS AND GERRIDS
The families of Leognathidae and Gerridae are represented by 9 species
and 5 species respectively. Leognathidae are small fishes, rarely exceeding
3 inches in size, and are caught in large numbers in trawl and shore-seine.
Gerrids grow larger to about 6" in size. Though not very much prized as
food fish, they are welcome to the fisherman because of their quantity.
(22) CROAKERS OR DRUM FISHES
The croakers belonging to family Sciaenidae, are known to make a
peculiar grunting noise by means of their large air bladder. This has earned
them a popular name of croakers or drum fishes. They are widely
distributed in warm waters of the world ; in maritime Maharashtra 17
species have so far been recorded. Out of these, the ‘ Ghol ' Pseudosciaena
diacanthus and the " Koth' Otolithoides brunneus growing to a large size
are commercially more important than the remaining small species of
FAUNA 115