Description of the Rastrelliger sp. larvae
The Rastrelliger sp. has been used for human consumption since ancient times and generally found in the coastal region of Thailand. There were many studies about fish larvae in the Gulf of Thailand, there was Niracha at el. (2014) studied about Ratrelliger sp. larvae in the Southern Gulf of Thailand. The result showed that the average abundance of Rastrelliger sp. larvae was 4.66 larvae/1000 m3 and Temvichakorn (1999) conducted in the Gulf of Thailand and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the result showed Rastrelliger sp. larvae 163 and 365 individuals.
The Rastrelliger sp. larvae are unlike the larvae of tunas and other scombroids, the Rastrelliger sp. larvae lack preopercular spines. They are also characterized by having about 31 myomeres. The intestine shot and the larvae have characteristics pigmentation
To facilitates identification, the diagnostic characters of Rastrelliger sp. larvae are given here:
1. No preopercular spines. Round head and mouth are relatively small. Ventral margin of tail pigmented 31 myomeres.
2. Pigment over brain sparse and pigment on ventral gut and preanus distinct. The anterior tip of both jaws nearly meets.
