Morphology Data of Cetoscarus ocellatus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Randall, J.E., 2005
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

This species is characterized by the following: 14-15 (usually 14) pectoral rays; 5-7 (usually 6) median predorsal scales; 3 rows of scales on cheek, the lower one with 3-7 scales; nodular outer surface of dental plates (vs. smooth on Chlorurus, Hipposcarus and Scarus); conical teeth absent on side of dental plates; lips largely covering dental plates; long snout 1.8-2.2 in HL; juveniles with rounded caudal fin, emarginate in adults. Initial phase with head purplish to reddish brown, finely spotted with black ventrally; body with a broad, pale yellowish zone dorsally, bluish gray below; scales rimmed and spotted with black; median fins brownish red and caudal with a whitish crescent posteriorly. Terminal males green, scales rimmed with pink, head and anterior body with numerous small pink spots except below an orange line from corner of the mouth to pectoral base and across upper abdomen, where solid green with broad, pink, longitudinal ventral band; juveniles white with a broad, dark-edged orange bar covering head except snout and chin, a large, orange-rimmed black spot anteriorly in dorsal fin, and a broad, submarginal orange band in caudal fin (Ref. 54980).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Cetoscarus ocellatus

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
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

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

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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