Engraulidae
by P. J. P. Whitehead
Moderate-sized or small fishes, usually elongate, body variously compressed, with large eyes and a projecting, pointed snout; lower jaw 'underslung' and long, reaching to hind margin of eye or beyond. Belly with keel of scutes in most Indo-Pacific species, rounded and without keel of scutes in Atlantic species. A single short dorsal fin; no spiny finrays, no adipose fin behind dorsal; caudal fin forked. Scales present, often easily shed; no lateral line.
Coastal pelagic, but some entering rivers in tropics or entirely freshwater.
Genera S; in Clofnam area 1.
Recent revisions: Wongratana (MS, 1980 Indo-Pacific species).