Morphology Data of Alestes dentex
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Paugy, D., 2003
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs no special organs
Different appearance always different morphology between mature adults
Different colors males alike females
Remarks Pronounced sexual dimorphism affecting the shape of the anal fin.

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: multicuspid teeth set in two rows and not overlapping the jaws when the mouth is closed; teeth stout, not compressed; eyes without or with weakly developed adipose lids; anal fin with 22-26 rays (Ref. 28714). At most 27 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch (18-27); 3 unbranched and 18-23 branched anal-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin distinctly behind level of pelvic-fin insertions (Ref. 2880, 81279). Scales small (Ref. 28714), 43-51 in lateral line (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Description: dorsal-fin origin behind level of pelvic-fin insertions, but not as far back as in A. baremoze; well developed fontanel (Ref. 2880, 81279). See additional characters for A. baremoze for sexual dimorphism in Alestes species.

Colouration: silvery color, back darker gray or bluish, belly white; fins grayish or slightly tinted with yellow orange; inferior lobe of caudal red; both caudal lobes edged with black along fork; no humeral or precaudal spots (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Alestes dentex

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 43 - 51
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 7.5 - 8.5
Scale rows below lateral line 3.5 - 3.5
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 18 - 27
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 45 - 48

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 21 - 26

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  before origin of D1
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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