Main Ref. | Bell-Cross, G. and J.L. Minshull, 1988 |
Appearance refers to | |
Bones in OsteoBase |
Specialized organs | |
Different appearance | |
Different colors | |
Remarks |
Striking features | striking fins |
Body shape lateral | elongated |
Cross section | circular |
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 | |
Diagnosis |
Diagnosis: distance snout to origin of dorsal fin 2-2.4 times head length, or 54-62% distance snout to vent (Ref. 52193). Description: elongated, sub-cylindrical body tapering to a point formed the confluent dorsal and anal fins; filamentous pectoral and pelvic fins (Ref. 13337). Dorsal and anal fins with soft rays only (Ref. 52193). Head robust, body snake-like; mouth large with sharp teeth; soft, cycloid scales; nostrils open under the upper lip, hidden when mouth is closed; gill chamber openings short, restricted to sides in front of pectoral bases; small external gills present above each gill opening; anus behind pelvic base, offset on side of body (Ref. 7248, 52193). 40-50 scales in a longitudinal series between gill opening and vent, 36-40 around the body (Ref. 13337). Coloration: dark olive-brown on the dorsal surface, the color paling in intensity onto the ventral surface; body covered with irregularly shaped spots (Ref. 13337), usually X-, Y- or V-shaped (Ref. 40587). Lateral line canals form wavy lines over head (Ref. 52193). |
Ease of Identification |
Lateral Lines | Interrupted: No |
Scales on lateral line | |
Pored lateral line scales | |
Scales in lateral series | |
Scale rows above lateral line | |
Scale rows below lateral line | |
Scales around caudal peduncle | |
Barbels | |
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
Gill rakers | |
on lower limb | |
on upper limb | |
total | |
Vertebrae | |
preanal | |
total |
Attributes | continuous with caudal fin |
Fins number | 1 |
Finlets No. | Dorsal 0 |
Ventral 0 | |
Spines total | 0 |
Soft-rays total | |
Adipose fin | absent |
Attributes | pointed; confluent |
Fins number | 1 |
Spines total | 0 |
Soft-rays total |
Pectoral | Attributes other (see Diagnosis) |
Spines | |
Soft-rays | |
Pelvics | Attributes reduced to filaments |
Position abdominal behind origin of D1 | |
Spines | |
Soft-rays |