SPARIDAE Argyrops spinifer, 20.5 cm SL (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Similar species Argyrops bleekeri, 18.6 cm SL (from Lombok, Indonesia; photo by Seishi Kimura) Argyrops spinifer (Forsskål, 1775) King Soldierbream D XI-XII, 10-11; P1 15; A III, 8; LLp 49-53; GR 6 + 10-11; anterior two dorsal-fin spines clearly shorter than 3rd-7th elongate and flattened spines, and then, becoming relatively short in adults. Body considerably deep and moderately compressed; upper profile of head steep and almost straight from upper jaw to eye; large adults having somewhat slender body, sometimes with gibbous head, probably male; caudal fin deeply emarginated. Color: head and body pinkish red with silvery reflection, seen in 6 vertical bands in juveniles; no bluish dots on body in live. Size: maximum length about 70 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-Malayan Archipelagos, and probably rare in western Pacific. Remarks: basically offshore waters, and occurs in somewhat deeper coastal area to depth of ca. 200 m in adults. A similar species of Argyrops bleekeri Oshima, 1927 has only 1 short dorsal-fin spine and subsequent 2nd to 6th dorsal-fin spines elongated. It might occur in the Andaman Sea. Needed for a taxonomical review of Argyrops. Grandcourt et al. (2004) recently reported detailed biology and stock assessment of A. spinifer in the southern Arabian Gulf where the species is very common. Females attained sexual maturity at 26.9 cm FL. The overall sex ratios were significantly female biased, potentially as a result of sex change. Spawning occurred from January to April.