Morphology Data of Parananochromis brevirostris
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Lamboj, A. and M.L.J. Stiassny, 2003
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 fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: lachrymal plus three tubular infraorbitals (Ref. 81260). Weakly developed (Ref. 81260) or absent (Ref. 50579) "pharyngeal hanging pad" on pharynx roof. Cheek naked or with a single scale row under eye (Ref. 81260). Anterior chest naked (Ref. 50579, 81260). 1-3 scales between base of pectoral and pelvic fins; well-developed dorsal fin lappets (Ref. 81260).

Description: diminutive, relatively gracile (body depth 22.8-31.6% SL); head length 28.5-35.8% SL; snout short (19.2-31.3% HL), somewhat rounded; mouth small; lower jaw inclined upward (Ref. 81260). Jaws with unicuspid, strongly curved teeth (Ref. 52307). Ventral body wall more or less straight to caudal peduncle which is usually deeper than long; upper branch of lateral line high on body, separated from dorsal base at highest point by a single scale row (rarely 1.5); last 4-5 pored scales situated directly below dorsal; 7 (rarely 6 or 8) tuberculate rakers on lower limb of first arch, 3-4 lanceolate epibranchial rakers; visor-like pad on pharynx roof weakly developed or absent, a feature distinguishing P. brevirostris from congeners; caudal fin rounded in both sexes, upper lobe in males may be slightly produced and elongated; chest naked, cheeks also naked or with single row of scales below eye (Ref. 81260). Spiny dorsal fin lappets very well-developed (Ref. 52307, 81260) and markedly produced in males (Ref. 81260).

Coloration: body grey or light brown, dorsum and forehead darker than ventrum; well marked mid-lateral band usually from eye to base of caudal peduncle, occasionally present as a mid-lateral row of black spots; chest and belly in ripe females rosy or orange; leading edge of pelvic white, rest of fin grey or pale blue; in males soft dorsal and upper part of caudal with thin white margins, in females these are red; soft dorsal, posterior parts of anal, and caudal fins in both sexes grey, with rows of dark maculae, which are always more marked in males than females; females often with immaculate fins; anterior parts of anal fin violet or wine red in males, pale yellow or clear in females; body scales with dark margins on body in males, in females marginated scales are restricted to dorsal parts of body; spiny dorsal fin lappets are black (Ref. 81260).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Parananochromis brevirostris

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 23 - 29
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle 12 - 12
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 5 - 8
on upper limb 2 - 4
total 8 - 12
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 14 - 16
Soft-rays total 8 - 10
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 6 - 8

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   11 - 13
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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