Morphology Data of Opistognathus fossoris
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Bussing, W.A. and R.J. Lavenberg, 2003
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 robust species is of moderate size (4.8-9.4 cm SL) possess the following set of features: upper jaw sexually dimorphic, longer in adult males; a black stripe on the inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes; D 15-17, A III; 21-24 gill rakers on lower limb of first arch; multifid nasal cirrus in adults; upper margin of subopercle is extended dorsally as a broad membranous flap; presence of a small black spot at tip of first and second dorsal-fin spines, no ocellated dorsal-fin spot (except in juveniles); body with 6 wide brown bars, usually discontinuous with corresponding markings on dorsal fin, but not below midline; 17 (rarely) or 18 caudal vertebrae (Ref. 75633).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus fossoris

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 21 - 24
on upper limb 10 - 13
total 32 - 36
Vertebrae
preanal 10 - 10
total 28 - 28

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 11 - 12
Soft-rays total 15 - 17
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 15 - 17

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   18 - 21
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Back to Search
Comments & Corrections
cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17