EPHIPPIDAE Ephippus orbis, 11.3 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Ephippus orbis (Bloch, 1787) Spadefish D IX, 19-20; A III, 15-17; P1 18-19; LR 39-43. Body orbicular, strongly compressed, head length less than half of body depth. Mouth small, upper jaw not reaching posteriorly vertical through anterior edge of eye; upper jaw not protrusible; jaws covered with bands of slender incisiform teeth. Preopercle distinctly serrate with a wide naked margin. Single dorsal fin with a deep notch before soft rayed part; pectoral fins shorter than head. Scales relatively large and smooth. Lateral line complete. Color: head and body silvery blue-green; 4 to 5 vertical dark bars frequently on body; fins dusky. Size: maximum size 20 cm. Distribution: tropical regions of the Indo-West Pacific from India to Indonesia, Philippines, and China. (Keiichi Matsuura)