Morphology Data of Opistognathus biporus
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
Cross section oval
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.6 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are relatively slender and tubular, third infraorbital with short posterolateral projecting arm ending with large sensory canal opening, no suborbital shelf; D XI,11; A II,10; vertebrae 10+16. Colouration: tips of dorsal-fin spines with conspicuous pale tabs; dorsum with a row of 5 dark blotches extending distinctly onto the dorsal fin; nape with a dark blotch slightly in front of dorsal-fin origin; last blotch on dorsal fin is distinctly narrower than anterior blotches; head with small dusky spots or blotches (Ref. 128653).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus biporus

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 26 - 26
on upper limb 11 - 11
total 37 - 37
Vertebrae
preanal 10 - 10
total 26 - 26

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

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

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 2 - 2
Soft-rays total 10 - 10

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   19 - 19
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17