Other, but less important genera of Clupeoids with serrated abdomen, are Clupeoides, Pellonula, Clupeichthys, Pellona, Pristigaster, and Chirocentrodon (these three last with very small or without any ventral fins).
Albula.—Body oblong, moderately compressed; abdomen flat. Scales of moderate size, adherent; lateral line distinct. Eyes covered with a broad annular adipose membrane. Snout pointed, the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower. Mouth inferior, of moderate width, with villiform teeth; intermaxillary juxtaposed to the upper anterior edge of the maxillary. Dorsal fin opposite to the ventrals; anal fin shorter than dorsal. Gill-membranes entirely separate, with numerous branchiostegals.
One species only (A. conorhynchus), ranging over all tropical and sub-tropical seas, and very common in many localities near the coasts. It grows to a length of from two to three feet, and is not valued as food.
Elops.—Body rather elongate, moderately compressed; abdomen flat. Scales small, adherent; lateral line distinct. A narrow osseous lamella, attached to the mandibulary symphysis, covers the part between the mandibles. Snout pointed; mouth wide, anterior; intermaxillary short, maxillary forming the lateral part of the mouth. Bands of villiform teeth in the jaws, on the vomer, palatine and pterygoid bones, on the tongue, and on the base of the skull. Dorsal fin opposite to ventrals; anal rather shorter than dorsal. Gill-membranes entirely separate, with very numerous branchiostegals.
Two species, of which one, E. saurus, is, like the preceding fish, spread over all tropical and sub-tropical seas; it exceeds a length of three feet, and is not esteemed as food.
Fig. 301.—Elops saurus.
Megalops.—Body oblong, compressed, abdomen flat. Scales large, adherent; lateral line distinct. A narrow osseous lamella, attached to the mandibulary symphysis, between the mandibles. Snout obtusely conical; mouth anterior, lower jaw prominent; intermaxillary short; maxillary forming the lateral part of the mouth. Bands of villiform teeth in the jaws, on the vomer, palatine and pterygoid bones, on the tongue and on the base of the skull. Dorsal fin opposite to, or immediately behind, the ventrals; anal rather larger than dorsal. Gill-membranes entirely separate, with numerous branchiostegals. Pseudobranchiæ none.
Two species, one belonging to the Indo-Pacific (M. cyprinoides), the other to the Atlantic (M. thrissoides); they are the largest fishes of this family, exceeding a length of five feet, and excellent eating. Young specimens enter freely fresh waters.