ADRIANICHTHYIDAE Ricefishes By Koichi Shibukawa Oryzias javanicus Small to moderate sized (up to 18 cm, commonly to 3 cm), slender and compressed fishes. Anus just before origin of anal fin; lateral line absent. Eyes large; mouth subterminal and superior, not protrusible; lower jaw usually protruding beyond upper jaw. Single dorsal fin, located at posterior part of body, with 5 - 17 soft rays; anal fins with 16 - 32 soft rays; length of anal fin base longer than dorsal fin base; pectoral fins high on side of body, falcate, with 6 - 16 soft rays; pelvic fins abdominal, with 5 - 7 soft rays; caudal fin truncate or nearly so. Scales cycloid, small to moderately large, deciduous. Color: body subtransparent with a mid-predorsal dusky line in many species; fins hyaline, often with black and/or yellow markings. Similar families occurring in the area. Aplocheilidae: pectoral fin rounded (rather than falcate); mouth protrusible. Phallostethidae: small first dorsal fin present in many species; median fleshy keel on ventral part of body before origin of anal fin; pelvic fins absent; caudal fin emarginate. Poeciliidae: mouth protrusible; anal fin base rather short. Remarks. Chiefly found in fresh- or brackish-waters, but also in coastal areas around estuaries. Surface-swimming schooling fish, feeds on copepods, small insects, and mollusk and crustacean larvae. Oviparous; female carries the fertilized eggs around urogenital opening until depositing those on plants in many species.