| Myomeres 9-12+13-15=24-25; relatively few small spines on head and pectoral girdle; relatively slender body; 2 prominent dorsal blotches on trunk after 3.4 mm, saddle forming below first dorsal fin in postflexion stage; continuous series of 11-20 melanophores on ventral margin of tail in preflexion stage.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion: 2 dorsal patches by 3.4 mm, at about myomeres 1-3 and 6-8; on gular region and angular; series over gas bladder and gut, continuing along full length of ventral margin of tail; midlaterally above anus by 3.6 mm; ventrally on isthmus and gut; often heavy on preanal finfold; on pectoral fin near end of stage.
Flexion-postflexion: Internally on midbrain by about 5 mm; externally by 6.8 mm; on snout and opercle by about 9 mm; increasing along lateral midline; decreasing on tail; increasing on pectoral fin; on pelvic fin; little or none on first dorsal fin.
Sequence of fin development: principal caudal fin rays, pelvic fin and pectoral fin, and first dorsal fin, second dorsal fin and anal fin, procurrent caudal fin rays. |