Main Ref. | Bradbury, M.G., 1999 |
Appearance refers to | |
Bones in OsteoBase |
Specialized organs | |
Different appearance | |
Different colors | |
Remarks |
Striking features | |
Body shape lateral | other |
Cross section | flattened |
Dorsal head profile | |
Type of eyes | |
Type of mouth/snout | |
Position of mouth | |
Type of scales | other (see remark) |
Diagnosis |
Tubercles (its form of scales) have ridges radiating from the apical spine; these ridges heavily edged with spinules, especially the largest tubercles; thus, tubercles appear to be multi-spined. Vertebral count usually 18. Cephalic lateral-line counts: subopercular 4-6, preopercular, 1-3. Tail lateral-line counts 9-13. Usual number of dorsal fin rays 6, pectoral fin rays 14-15; vertebrae 18. Color differences observed between eastern and western Atlantic populations; specimens from Gulf of Guinea often have reticulate markings on the dorsal surface of the body, usually vague (occasionally strong), which are not seen in western Atlantic material. Fins, except dorsal, usually have tubercles on bases of rays. Pectoral fins slender, sturdy relative to most other species; pelvic fins slender (Ref. 40826). |
Ease of Identification |
Lateral Lines | Interrupted: No |
Scales on lateral line | |
Pored lateral line scales | 11 - 12 |
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 | |
on upper limb | |
total | |
Vertebrae | |
preanal | |
total | 18 - 19 |
Attributes | |
Fins number | 1 |
Finlets No. | Dorsal |
Ventral | |
Spines total | 0 - 0 |
Soft-rays total | 5 - 7 |
Adipose fin |
Attributes |
Fins number | 1 |
Spines total | 0 - 0 |
Soft-rays total | 4 - 4 |
Pectoral | Attributes |
Spines 0 | |
Soft-rays 12 - 17 | |
Pelvics | Attributes |
Position | |
Spines 0 | |
Soft-rays 5 - 5 |