Morphology Data of Opistognathus challenger
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 2023
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
Cross section oval
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending 0.6 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; D XI,11; A II,11; vertebrae 10+16; area above lateral line anteriorly with 3-4 rows of scales; body with approximately 44 oblique scale rows in horizontal series; total gill rakers on first arch 30. Colouration: spinous dorsal fin with a dark spot between spines 1-2 and extending to anterior margin of spine 4, the chin slightly dusky and no dark postorbital spot (Ref. 128653).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus challenger

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
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 20 - 20
on upper limb 10 - 10
total 30 - 30
Vertebrae
preanal 10 - 10
total 30 - 30

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 11 - 11
Soft-rays total 11 - 11
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 2 - 2
Soft-rays total 11 - 11

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   19 - 20
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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