Volume 32, Plate XIV / Ichthyology (Fish)

Large-Scaled Chalceus

Chalceus macrolepidotus

A beautifully shaped fish caught at the Camuti mountain in Essequibo in October, growing to fifteen inches long and about five deep, with very large smooth deciduous scales, a depressed head, and no visible lateral line. The scaling is a beautiful bluish silvery varying to green on the back, each scale bordered with blue, the fins greenish tipped with lake or carmine; feeding on fruit, insects, and small fish, it is rather scarce but esteemed for food.