FishBase
Larvae Information Summary for  Zalieutes elater
( not available )

Main Ref: Watson, W. 1996
Yolk-sac larvae
  max min mod Ref.
Length at birth (mm) 1.8      
Preanal L. % TL 71 32    
Place of development planktonic
Larval area California Current region
Yolk-sac       Ref:  
Yolk   Oil globules  
Rows on tail no rows
Other melanophores on tail one dorso-ventral cluster or band
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head
Pigmentation: under hindbrain; dorsally on anterior part of gut and on yolk sac; band around tail at myomeres 15-17.
Post larvae
Striking feature other
Striking shape lateral short and/or deep dorsal  
Striking feature other
Shape of gut spherical or gut loop
Gas bladder   early   late  
Spinal armature   early   late  
Pigmentation early
Rows on tail no rows
Other melanophores on tail one dorso-ventral cluster or band
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head
Pigmentation late
Rows on tail no rows
Other melanophores on tail one dorso-ventral cluster or band
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head
Urostyle region   early unpigmented late unpigmented
Pectorals strikingly large with rows of melanophores
Pelvics normal (i.e. small or absent) without melanophores
Large, early forming pectoral fins; moderately large pelvic fins; strongly inflated dermal sac, with tubercles bearing up to 20 small spinules each beginning at 2.5-3 mm; pigment dorsally and dorsolaterally on trunk and distally on pectoral fins beginning at about 2 mm; band usually present around tail. Pigmentation: Preflexion-postflexion: dorsal and dorsolateral, initially at nape, spreading caudad to level of anus by early postflexion stage; usually band around tail in vicinity of postanal myomeres 8-13; dorsally, dorsolaterally, and anteriorly on gut; under mid- and hindbrain; under opercle; usually on pectoral fin base, increases in postflexion stage; usually some distally on pectoral fin blade or rays after 2 mm, usually forming short bands near middle and distal parts of upper pectoral fin in postflexion stage. Juvenile: completely pigmented except belly and pelvic fins. Sequence of fin development: pectorals, caudal, pelvics and ilicium (first dorsal fin spine modified to form a lure), dorsal, anal.
Meristic characters
  max min mod Ref.
Total number of vertebrae 19 18   36492
  L 1st feeding Ref. Months of presence of larvae
max     Jan Feb Mar Apr
min   May Jun Jul Aug
mod     Sep Oct Nov Dec
Water parameters     Metric characters
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