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Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Diagnosis: Dorsal rays XIII, 8 with third spine longest. Anal rays III, 5 (6 in 2 of 34 specimens). Pectoral rays 19-21 (mode 20), distal margin bilobed. Pored lateral-line scales 30-34 (32). Longitudinal scale series 49-56 (54). Scale rows between base of last dorsal spine and lateral line 5 or 6 (6). Well-developed gill rakers on upper limb 1, lower limb 5 or 6 (6), total 6 or 7 (7); rudimentary gill rakers on upper limb 3-5 (4), lower limb 4-9 (6). The swim bladder is not bilobed in ventral view, but bilobed anteriorly in lateral view (length 23% of SL, width 17% of SL, bilobed portion 23% of total swim bladder length). Dorsal profile of snout not steep, forming angle of about 40-55° to horizontal axis of head and body. Nasal spine simple, directed upward or slightly backward, length of former greater than or equal to (rarely smaller than) anterior nostril diameter. Posterior margin of premaxilla ascending process extending beyond a vertical at middle of posterior nostril when mouth closed. Interorbital ridge indistinct. No scales on midinterorbital space, but scales present on supraorbital bone. Interorbital space deep, about one-tenth of orbit extending above dorsal profile of head. Preocular with a simple spine, its length slightly greater than or equal to that of nasal spine. Supraocular ridge with 2-6 (usually 3) pointed spines, slightly canted laterally; supraocular ridge much closer to orbit than interorbital ridge in dorsal view. Sphenotic with 2-12 minute pointed spines. Postorbital spine flattened and serrated. Occipital pit absent, nape flat, covered with scales entirely. Nuchal and pterotic spines simple (sometimes with 2 or 3 points), distal margins smooth; origin of nuchal spine anterior to that of pterotic spine, base larger than that of latter. Upper posttemporal spine indistinct, flattened and serrated (rarely smooth); lower posttemporal and supracleithral spines simple. Posterior margin of maxilla not reaching a vertical at posterior margin of orbit (usually just reaching posterior margin of pupil). Maxilla with scales extending posteriorly from between anterior and posterior lacrimal spines, but no scales on posterior margin. Underside of mandible smooth with 3 distinct pores on each side. Lacrimal ridge distinct with 1-7 points (sometimes smooth); anterior lacrimal spine with 1-3 points, directed downward; posterior lacrimal spine with 2-6 points, directed ventroposteriorly; length of anterior lacrimal spine 2 times or more in that of posterior lacrimal spine. Suborbital pit flat, front rimmed by a oblique ridge on lacrimal to ventroanterior margin of orbit; scales present on entire suborbital pit; suborbital ridge with 2 pointed spines in line with lacrimal ridge, spines separated at bases, directed backward; 1-3 spines sometimes arising from each suborbital spine; 1 or 2 scales present between ventral margin of orbit and suborbital ridge; suborbital scales not extending onto eye membrane. Preopercle with 4 (sometimes 5 spines, fifth spine arising above or below uppermost pre opercular spine), 3 lower spines simple, lacking a median ridge, uppermost spine with a median ridge and with a spine distally; length of uppermost preopercular spine less than pupil diameter. Upper opercular spine simple, lacking a median ridge; lower opercular spine simple with a median ridge; tip of lower opercular spine not extending beyond opercular margin (Ref. 54394).
Body tan, white below, with numerous small dark brown to black spots scattered on the upper portion of head and sides; depth 38-40% SL. Head large 43-46%. Eyes large 27-32% HL. Caudal fin rays 13 (Ref. 33839). |
