GERREIDAE Gerres filamentosus, 7.0 cm SL (photo by Koichi Shibukawa) Gerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829 Whipfin Mojarra D IX,10; A III,7; P1 15-16; LL 43-46 (usually 44-45); GR 4-6 + 8. Body deep, compressed, anterodorsal profile somewhat convex. Second dorsal fin spine very long and filamentous, reaching slightly beyond base of last dorsal fin ray; anal-fin spines generally robust, third longest; caudal fin deeply forked, lobes pointed. Preopercle with 3 scale rows; 4.5-5.5 scales between 5th dorsal fin spine base and lateral line. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant silver ventrally, with vertical rows of indistinct dark ovoid spots laterally in adults and subadults; all fins tinged with tan, caudal fin with a blackish margin. Size: maximum length about 32 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in tropical Indo- Pacific, from eastern coast of Africa to Micronesia. Remarks: inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms in coastal areas. Marketed fresh or dried. (Seishi Kimura)