(von Hasselt)
1. Distinctive characters of early developmental stages
(a) Eggs and prolarvae
Not reported from mangroves.
(b) Post larvae (Based on 15.2 mm length specimen collected from the mangroves).
Desmogenys pusillus 1
Lower jaw produced into a beak; Dorsal fin originates behind that of anal fin. Caudal fin almost round and mildly forked. Prominent pigmentation starts as a line from the middle of lateral side above pelvic fin and runs posteriorly up to caudal base. The basal portion of caudal fin is also pigmented to form a mild blotch. A prominent red streak is present at the base of dorsal fin occupying two third the length horizontally.
2. Distinguishing characters of early developmental stages in similar species occurring in the mangroves
(a) Post larvae of Hyporhamphus (Hyporhamphus) limbatus .
Hyporhamphus limbatus 1
Three pigmented horizontal lines present on sides of the body. Of these, one line in running dorsally between the head and dorsal origin; the second one running between pectoral base and caudal peduncle and the third one lining the anal fin ventrally. There is no red streak at the base of the dorsal fin.
3. Distinguishing characters of early developmental stages in similar species occurring in the adjacent coastal water
(a) Early juveniles of Hemiramphus far
Upper caudal lobe of adults reddish orange in colour, prominent vertical bars present.
4. Salient ecological information
Adults of this species are freshwater forms, whereas, the postlarval and early juvenile stages occur sporadically in the upper reaches of mangroves during wet season. This species is distributed in India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.