| Main Ref. | Cohen, D.M. and J.G. Nielsen, 1982 |
| Appearance refers to | |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | |
| Different appearance | |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | |
| Body shape lateral | elongated |
| Cross section | compressed |
| 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 | |
| Diagnosis |
Ontogenetic change in color pattern occurs; small individuals with horizontal bands on body; bands assuming a vermiculate pattern on medium-sized fishes; becoming blotched or slightly vermiculate in large specimens. 3-4 developed gill rakers. Small body scales arranged in 130-145 regular rows along the side; base of pectorals with scales, none on bases of vertical fins. Dense, small, fleshy papillae on lips. Supraorbital pores 2; suborbital 5 ?; lateral 1; preoperculomandibular 8; temporal 1. Pyloric caeca numerous, about 45. |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | 1 Interrupted: No |
| Scales on lateral line | 51 - 52 |
| Pored lateral line scales | |
| Scales in lateral series | |
| Scale rows above lateral line | |
| Scale rows below lateral line | |
| Scales around caudal peduncle | |
| Barbels | 0 |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | |
| on upper limb | |
| total | |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | 14 - 14 |
| total | 51 - 52 |
| Attributes | continuous with caudal fin |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | 0 - 0 |
| Soft-rays total | 94 - 96 |
| Adipose fin | absent |
| Attributes | more or less truncate |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | 0 - 0 |
| Soft-rays total | 71 - 73 |
| Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
| Spines 0 | |
| Soft-rays 27 - 27 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes reduced to filaments |
| Position jugular before origin of D1 | |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays |