Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 20-27; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 14-18.

A long slender giant herring. Large eyes. Large mouth, jaw reaching well beyond eye posteriorly. teeth villiform. Very small scales. Single dorsal fin, without spines, originating a little 
behind mid-point of body. Anal fin short, originating well behind dorsal-fin base. Pelvic fins slightly in front of dorsal fin origin.

Colour. Bluish-grey back, silvery sides with a yellow tinge, and pale yellow fins.

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 118 cm FL; common length : 50.0 cm SL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coastal waters and also enters lagoons and estuaries. Benthopelagic. Feeds on fish and crustacea. Juveniles use warm turbid estuaries as nursery grounds.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. 
Recognised, internationally, as an excellent angling fish as it fights well and jumps repeatedly. It is apparently a rare component of the catch in Seychelles.

Notes:

Photo. courtesy and (c) 2021 Jonathan Waye-Hive.
This specimen was caught in 40 meters depth water off Marianne island. 

References:

Adams, A. et al. (2016). Elops machnata. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T172363A58325231.en. (04/07/22).
Bray, D.J. (2022). Elops machnata in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1990 (05/07/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5512 (04/07/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4  

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Elops machnata, Big-eye giant herring. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/elops-machnata-forsskal-1775/