Morphology Data of Vanderhorstia nobilis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Allen, G.R. and J.E. Randall, 2006
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 is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI-I, 16; A I, 17; pectoral rays 17-18; scales in longitudinal series 63-68; without scales on head, nape, or prepectoral area; ctenoid scales posteriorly, cycloid anterior to base of sixth dorsal spine; males with elongate body (depth 6.9 in SL), females stouter (depth 5.2-5.3 in SL); gill opening extending forward nearly to a vertical at posterior edge of orbit; dorsal spines progressively longer to third (at least 3.65-4.0 in SL); caudal fin long and pointed (1.9-2.2 in SL); pectoral fins in male reaching to above anal fin origin, or to anus in females, 4.2-4.4 in SL; pelvic fins do not reach base of first anal soft ray (4.1 in SL); distinct colour pattern features of males include a mid-dorsal, neon blue stripe on head, irregular orange spots, bars, and bands on cheek, operculum, and adjacent pectoral fin base, a pair of broad brownish-orange stripes on dorsal half of body edged with pair of narrower stripe of pale blue (clearly evident anteriorly, but becoming diffuse or forming clusters of scattered blue spot/flecks on posterior half ), a dark brown to subtle light brown orange spot (sometimes greatly reduced) on first dorsal fin between second and fifth spines, a dark submarginal stripe on posterior two-thirds of anal fin, and small orange spots covering pelvic fin; females similar, but markings on side less vivid and with distinctive brownish to bright orange yellow spot narrowing distally to middle of fin (Ref. 75784).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Vanderhorstia nobilis

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 12 - 13
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 13 - 15
on upper limb 4 - 5
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 2
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 7 - 7
Soft-rays total 16 - 16
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

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

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   17 - 18
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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