Main Ref. | Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall, 1993 |
Appearance refers to | |
Bones in OsteoBase |
Specialized organs | |
Different appearance | |
Different colors | |
Remarks |
Striking features | none |
Body shape lateral | fusiform / normal |
Cross section | compressed |
Dorsal head profile | clearly convex |
Type of eyes | more or less normal |
Type of mouth/snout | more or less normal |
Position of mouth | superior |
Type of scales | ctenoid scales |
Diagnosis |
Brown spots evenly distributed and packed into hexagonal shapes only on adults which are generally larger (>25 to 45 cm); front portion of spinous dorsal fin about 50% taller than on other species at all sizes (Ref. 37816); small juveniles black with white blotches, becoming more spotted with age (Ref. 48635); further characterized by having ctenoid scales on body; auxiliary scales on body; greatest depth of body 2.7-3.1 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins 1.7-2.0 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; flat to slightly convex interorbital area, convex dorsal head profile; preopercle with shallow indentation just above the enlarged serrae at angle; straight or slightly convex upper edge of operculum, posterior and anterior nostrils subequal; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of eye, ventral edge with blunt hook-like process distally in fish larger than 35 cm SL; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707). |
Ease of Identification |
Lateral Lines | 1 Interrupted: No |
Scales on lateral line | 49 - 52 |
Pored lateral line scales | 48 - 51 |
Scales in lateral series | 102 - 120 |
Scale rows above lateral line | |
Scale rows below lateral line | |
Scales around caudal peduncle | |
Barbels | 0 |
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
Gill rakers | |
on lower limb | 15 - 17 |
on upper limb | 8 - 10 |
total | 23 - 27 |
Vertebrae | |
preanal | |
total |
Attributes | no striking attributes |
Fins number | 1notched No |
Finlets No. | Dorsal 0 - 0 |
Ventral 0 - 0 | |
Spines total | 11 - 11 |
Soft-rays total | 15 - 17 |
Adipose fin | absent |
Attributes | more or less truncate; more or less normal |
Fins number | 1 |
Spines total | 3 - 3 |
Soft-rays total | 8 - 8 |
Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
Spines 0 | |
Soft-rays 17 - 19 | |
Pelvics | Attributes more or less normal |
Position thoracic behind origin of D1 | |
Spines | |
Soft-rays |