An important, throughly illustrated, and exhaustive work that lists, classifies and describes all the known fish fauna of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

"Offers a systematic enumeration of the entire range of fishes under two broad classes - Elasmobranchii and Teleostomi 28 different orders, various sub-orders and families, and over 800 species. All the necessary details and data have been provided for each of the species under its description. And for an easier identification, there is an illustration corresponding to each of the species.

"The utility of the text, for the concerned scholars and researchers, has been enhanced by incorporating a meticulously compiled glossary of technical terms; aptly labelled sketches; a list of over 100 references to relevant literature; and a comprehensive index with cross references to scientific names and vernacular names in the English, Sinhalese and Tamil languages. Needless to mention that the book has a high and lasting reference value.