Hirundichthys rufipinnis (Valenciennes 1847)

This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongated body nearly rectangular in cross-section, almost flat ventrally, its depth 5.5-7.1 times in standard length (SL): vertebrae 44-47; predorsal scales 26-32; scales in transverse row 5.5-7.5, usually 6-6.5; head 4.5-5.1 times in SL: eye 2.8-3.0 times in head; subequal jaws conspicuous and conical teeth; no palatine teeth; gill rakers on first arch 25-32; low dorsal fin 10-13 rays; anal fin with 11-13 rays, originating slightly before, or 1-2 rays behind dorsal-fin origin; pectoral fins 1.2-1.4 times in SL, with 17-20 rays, first 2 rays unbranched; pelvic fins 2.7-3.5 in SL, inserted slightly nearer to posterior margin of opercle than origin of caudal-fin base; juveniles not barbelled; colour of body dark above and pale below, dorsal and caudal fins greyish, anal fin transparent, pectoral fins black without unpigmented cross-band and with a moderate light outer margin, pelvic fins without black spot; juveniles that are less than 10 cm are without vertical bands on body and with the dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins not mottled with dark spots and bands (Ref. 109257).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Analsoft rays: 11 - 13; Vertebrae: 44 - 47