Morphology Data of Distichodus mossambicus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Skelton, P.H., 2001
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 fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: snout extended; mouth terminal; head about 4 times in fork length; juveniles with 6-7 dark bars (Ref. 52193).

Description: scales ctenoid, 67—70 in lateral line; body deep and compressed; adipose fin with scales, caudal deeply forked, largely covered by scales; head depressed, nape rising steeply with concave predorsal profile; mouth terminal; 2 rows of bicuspid teeth; dorsal fin with 4 unbranched and 19-23 branched rays; anal fin with 3-4 unbranched and 10-12 branched rays (Ref. 52193).

Coloration: adults deep olive, almost black; juveniles silvery, with 6—7 broad vertical dark bars (Ref. 52193).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Distichodus mossambicus

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 65 - 70
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle 23 - 24
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 27 - 29
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 14 - 15

Paired fins

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