some dorsal fin rays very elongated |
normal (not striking) |
|
some dorsal fin rays very elongated |
spherical or gut loop |
|
|
|
|
no rows |
no other melanophores |
melanophores on head + trunk |
no rows |
two dorso-ventral clusters or bands |
melanophores on head + trunk |
pigmented |
pigmented |
normal melanophores at fin base |
strikingly large or elongated with melanophores |
Pectoral fin usually unpigmented, except on inner surface of base after 8-9 mm; tail largely unpigmented before postflexion stage; bar on caudal peduncle by 9-10 mm; frontal spines small; pectoral fin rays usually 18-20; 8-9 preanal myomeres (through flexion stage), 19-20 total myomeres.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion-pelagic juvenile: over and under brain; on nape, extending to myomere 5 by about 5 mm and to myomere 10 by about 6 mm; heavy on dorsal, dorsolateral, and anterior surfaces of gut; distal on pelvic and dorsal fin spines; may be a few on inner surface of pectoral fin base by about 8-9 mm; bar begins to form on caudal peduncle at about 9-10 mm; occasionally some on outer surface of pectoral fin base or under notochord tip (rarely both in same specimen).
Sequence of fin development: first dorsal, pelvics, second dorsal and anal and caudal, pectorals.
Larvae are present in the area in most months (Ref. 36490). |