Raconda russeliana Gray, 1831
Raconda
Raconda russeliana
photo by Devarapalli, P.

Family:  Pristigasteridae (Pristigasterids)
Max. size:  19 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Indian Ocean (eastern coasts of India, possibly also coasts of Myanmar), Singapore and Java Sea (south coast of Kalimantan, also Bagan Api Api, Sumatra).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 81-93. Body elongate, with strongly convex lower profile bearing a sharp keel of 33 to 38 scutes. Lower jaw prominent, mouth pointing obliquely upward; upper jaw short, not reaching beyond eye center. Anal fin very long, its origin well before midpoint of body. A dark spot behind gill opening.
Biology:  A marine species, or perhaps more commonly estuarine (e.g. Aluhaluh on the Barito River in Kalimantan, Indonesia). Feeds mainly on prawns (especially Acetes), but also on copepods. More specimens and data needed.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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