Morphology Data of Opistognathus elizabethensis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 2023
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

This species possess the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.6-0.9 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are moderately wide, the third infraorbital largest with large sensory canal openings, no suborbital shelf; D XI,18-19; A II,17-19; vertebrae 10 + 23; scale rows in horizontal series about 47-51; no scales anterolaterally forward of verticals from 6th or 7th dorsal-fin spine; vomerine teeth 2 or 3. Colouration: an oblong black spot (partially encircled by white border) between spines 3-6 of dorsal fin, and this extends slightly onto dorsum; when alive, yellowish-brown with pale blue markings in dorsal fin; when preserved, head and body uniformly tan, except largest specimen with pair of pale basicaudal spots (Ref. 76827, 128653).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus elizabethensis

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 8 - 8
on upper limb 16 - 17
total 24 - 25
Vertebrae
preanal 10 - 10
total 33 - 33

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 11 - 11
Soft-rays total 18 - 19
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total 2 - 2
Soft-rays total 17 - 19

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   19 - 21
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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