Description:

Dorsal spines: 7; Dorsal rays: 25-30; Anal spines: 2; Anal rays: 18-22.

Body strongly elongate, almost fusiform. Head and snout pointed. Mouth small, upper jaw ending distinctly before eye. Teeth in jaws in villiform bands, minute teeth also on 
roof of mouth and on tongue. Lateral line slightly arched above pectoral fins, becoming straight posteriorly. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle grooves present.

Colour: Dark olive-blue or green dorsally and white ventrally. 2 narrow light blue or bluish white stripes along sides, with a broader olive or yellowish stripe between them. 
Fins dark with an olive or yellow tint.

Maturity: 64.6 FL. Range unknown. Max Length: 107cm FL. Commonly 80cm FL.
 

A pelagic species, found in oceanic and coastal waters (depth 0-150m, usually 2-10m) usually found at or near the surface, over reefs or sometimes far offshore. May form 
large schools. Feeds on crustaceans, small fishes and squid. May form spawning aggregations. Spawning is thought to occur throughout the year in the Indo-Pacific with a 
peak in larval/juvenile capture in March. Eggs are pelagic.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery where it is a relatively common and sometimes numerous component of 
the catch.

Australian Museum (2018). Rainbow Runner, Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/rainbow-runner-elagatis-bipinnulata-quoy-gaimard-1825/ (20/05/19).
Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the 
support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food nd Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/412 (20/05/19).
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. et al. (2015). Elagatis bipinnulata. The IUCN Red List 2015: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T16440027A16510157.en. (26/06/22).
UNFAO (2019). Species Fact Sheets. Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/3122/en (20/05/19).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Elagatis bipinnulata, Rainbow runner. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/elagatis-bipinnulata-quoy-gaimard-1825/ (revised 26/06/22).