Diagnostic characters: postanal band pattern in preflexion larvae (three bands); high myomere count (57-65); distinguished from similar larvae with high myomere count by: presence of three postanal pigment bands and median finfold pigment.
Pigment: initially, three postanal bands with pigment on the finfold in region of bands; number of dorsal and ventral spots change with size and stage of development; pigmentation increases with development along finfold margin (about 7 spots along dorsal and 5 spots along anal in flexion larvae).
Sequence of fin development: caudal, dorsal, and anal, pelvics, pectorals. |