CARANGIDAE Parastromateus niger, 13.4 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Parastromateus niger (Bloch, 1795) Black Pomfret D IV-V + I, 40-45; A II + I, 35-39; GR 5-7 + 13-16; V 10+14. Body deep, rhomboidal, strongly compressed; dorsal and anal profiles equally much convex. Spinous portion of dorsal fin and detached anal fin spines embedded, not seen in adults; pelvic fins absent in young and adults (> 10 cm FL), present before level of pectoral fin base in juvenile. Straight part of lateral line much shorter than curved part, with 8-19 weak scutes. Color: body dark brown or black uniformly. Size: maximum length about 75 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from Gulf of Oman to northern Australia. Remarks: inhabits coastal waters with muddy bottom. Feeds on zooplankton. Excellent food fish; marketed fresh.