Morphology Data of Opistognathus erdmanni
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 compressed
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 about 0.7-1.1 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are moderately slender and tubular third infraorbital with short posterolateral projecting arm ending in sensory canal opening, no suborbital shelf; D XI,11; A II,10–11; vertebrae 10+16; scale rows in horizontal series about 37-40; no supraneurals. Colouration: the scale rows on body appearing to form a series of narrow stripes; dorsum with 5 dark blotches, with those below spinous dorsal fin extending only slightly on to fin (Ref. 128653).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus erdmanni

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 19 - 21
on upper limb 9 - 10
total 29 - 31
Vertebrae
preanal 10 - 10
total 26 - 26

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 10 - 11

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   19 - 19
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Back to Search
Comments & Corrections
cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17