| Main Ref. | Allen, G.R. and A.R. Emery, 1985 |
| Appearance refers to | |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | |
| Different appearance | different morphology in juveniles and adults |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | none |
| Body shape lateral | short and / or deep |
| Cross section | oval |
| Dorsal head profile | more or less straight |
| Type of eyes | more or less normal |
| Type of mouth/snout | more or less normal |
| Position of mouth | terminal |
| Type of scales | ctenoid scales |
| Diagnosis |
Body color is blue-black with black scale outlines. The scales on the nape and the side of the head are frequently blue. The lips are whitish. There is a small black spot near lateral line origin. A broad white bar is sometimes present across the middle of the sides (possibly associated with courtship behavior). |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | 1 Interrupted: No |
| Scales on lateral line | 18 - 20 |
| Pored lateral line scales | |
| Scales in lateral series | |
| Scale rows above lateral line | 1.5 - 3.5 |
| Scale rows below lateral line | 9 - 12 |
| Scales around caudal peduncle | |
| Barbels | 0 |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | 12 - 14 |
| on upper limb | 8 - 9 |
| total | 20 - 23 |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | |
| total |
| Attributes | extending over most of the back length |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal 0 - 0 |
| Ventral 0 - 0 | |
| Spines total | 12 - 13 |
| Soft-rays total | 15 - 17 |
| Adipose fin | absent |
| Attributes | forked; more or less normal |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | 2 - 2 |
| Soft-rays total | 12 - 14 |
| Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
| Spines 0 | |
| Soft-rays 18 - 20 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes more or less normal |
| Position thoracic behind origin of D1 | |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays |