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  • EnglishName: Bigeye scad
  • Local Name : Mushimas
  • Size : Max. 30 cm
  • Family: Order : Specimen
  • Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 8 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 24-27 rays. Anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 21-23 rays. Body elongate, shallow and moderately compressed. Dorsal and anal fins without a detached terminal finlet. Eye very large, shorter than snout. Adipose eyelid covering eye, except for broad oval slit central on pupil. Pectoral fin shorter than head.
    Colour: Metallic blue to bluish green above, shading to white-below; yellow stripe sometimes present from opercle margin to upper part of caudal peduncle. A black opercular spot distinct.
  • Habitat and Biology: Forms small to large schools in inshore waters and shallow reefs to depths of 170 m. Feeds on plankton, benthic invertebrates and small fish.
  • Distribution: Worldwide in tropical and sub-tropical waters.
  • Remarks: Selar crumenophthalmus is a widespread species in shallow lagoons of the reefs and islands. In
    the Maldives it is mainly caught during day time using pole and line. A popular food fish.