(Bennett)
1. Distinctive characteristics of early developmental stages
(a) Eggs and larvae
Not recorded from the mangroves.
(b) Early juveniles
Carangoides praeustus 1
In 22 mm specimens, the snout is equal to the eye in diameter. Canine teeth are absent in the outer series of the upper jaw. The soft dorsal lobe is as high as the spinous dorsal. The longest spine of the spinous dorsal is nearly equal in height to that of the soft dorsal fin lobe. The soft dorsal lobe is yet to be pigmented at this stage. The upper and lower portions of the eyes are highly pigmented.
(c) Juveniles (Identification based on Smith-Vaniz, 1984)
Carangoides praeustus 2
In 33 mm (T.L.) specimens, the pigmentation in the soft dorsal is restricted to the upper portion of the fin between the 3rd and 11th ray. The pigmentation above and below the eye are similar to those in previous stages (early juveniles).
Carangoides praeustus 3
In juveniles of about 60 mm total length, three quarters of the distal part of the soft dorsal lobe is abruptly black, without any white margin. The pectoral fin length is about 17.5% of the fork length (more than 21% of the fork length in adults). The lower arm of the first gill arch has 28-30 gill rakers. The straight part of the lateral line has 4 scales and 28 - 30 scutes.
2. Distinguishing characteristics of early developmental stages in similar species occurring in the brackish and inshore waters
(a) Juveniles of Caranx sexfasciatis
The height of the soft dorsal lobe is over double the height of the spinous dorsal. The lower portion of the soft dorsal lobe, except the distal end, is pigmented. The pectoral fin is relatively long. Adipose eyelids are well developed. There is no distinct pigmentation around the eye. The upper margin of the operculum has a small black spot.
3. Salient biological characteristics
It grows to a maximum length of 220 mm (Smith-Vaniz, 1984).
4. Salient ecological information
This species is reported from the Persian Gulf, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. In Thailand, the early juveniles and juveniles enter from the sea to the mangrove waters during the wet season (July-August) (Agate et al., 1991). This species is unknown in any other mangrove apart from Thailand.