| 12-14 (usually 13-14) preanal myomeres, 27-29 (usually 28) total myomeres; pectoral fin rays 21-26 (usually 22-23: full complement present in postflexion stage); usually moderate to heavy dorsal pigment on head; 2-4 melanophores on dorsal margin between about myomeres 3 and 9; ventrolateral pigment from level of pectoral fin base to about 4th postanal myomere; usually a few melanophores on ventral margin of tail.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion-postflexion: about 5-8 (large) over fore-, mid-, and hindbrain; internally under brain and on floor of otic capsule by flexion stage; 0-4 (usually 4, rarely 0) on dorsal margin between myomeres 2 and 14 (usually 3-9); few to about 20-30, ventrolaterally from level of pectoral fin base to postanal myomere 4-6 (usually 4 or 5), often in 1-3 irregular rows; internally over gut and gas bladder; 1-2 externally, near pectoral fin insertion, by about 6 mm; 0- about 10 (usually about 2-5) irregularly spaced along ventral margin of tail; 0 to few on caudal fin beginning in flexion stage.
Juvenile: completely pigmented except on ventrum; dorsal, anal and caudal fins dark.
Sequence of fin development: caudal, pectorals, dorsal and anal, pelvics. |