CARANGIDAE Scomberoides tala, 20.8 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Scomberoides tala (Cuvier, 1832) Needlescaled Queenfish D VI-VII + I, 19-21; A II + I, 16-19; GR 1-3 + 7-11 = 11-14; V 10+16. Body elongate, somewhat deep, strongly compressed. Hind tip of upper jaw extending slightly beyond a vertical through posterior margin of eye in adults; dentary with 2 teeth rows separated by a shallow groove in adults, teeth in inner row distinctly larger than those in outer row. Body covered with broadly lanceolate scales; no scutes along lateral line. Color: body bluegreenish gray dorsally, silvery white ventrally, with a series of 4-8 vertically elongate elliptic dark blotches laterally in adults; dorsal, anal and caudal fins dusky; pectoral fin yellow, pelvic fins whitish. Size: maximum length about 70 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from eastern coast of Africa to Australia, north to southern China. Remarks: inhabits inshore waters. Feeds mainly on fish. Marketed fresh or dried.