Total vertebrae 40-46; pectoral fin ray 14-16; anal fin ray 6-9; mid dorsal bony plates 15-16; mid ventral bony plates 16-18; by about 13 mm, 2 pairs of plates on breast anterior to pelvic fin; anal finfold completely pigmented; large patch over most of dorsal finfold preceded by a small patch; pigment extends onto <33% of caudal fin; parietals rounded; notochord flexion by about 8 mm; spines present on eye by 16.5 mm.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion: Absent dorsally on head and caudal finfold, otherwise, completely covering gut and body; small patch anteriorly in dorsal finfold; dorsal finfold posterior to anus and anal finfold completely covered; by about 7 mm, “bearded” appearance.
Flexion: Small patch persists in first dorsal region; medium-sized patch in second dorsal region; large patch dorsally in caudal peduncle region.
Postflexion-transformation: Patches anteriorly and posteriorly on anal fin; increasing dorsolaterally on head; light or absent on pelvic fin; rounded patch extending on to <33% of caudal fin; about 6 blotches forming laterally on body.
Sequence of fin development: pectoral fin, caudal fin, second dorsal fin and anal fin, first dorsal fin, pelvic fin. |