Diagnosis: snout extremely long, 39.8-43.2 % head length; lachrymal deep, 27.9-29.3 % head length; eye small, 26.4-28.5 % head length (Ref. 55898).
Description: large and relatively deep-bodied; dorsal body profile strongly convex; head large; dorsal head profile slightly convex in larger specimens; snout very long; mouth very small; lips thick and fleshy; gape inclined at about 25° to horizontal; maxilla extending a little further than halfway between tip of snout and vertical at anterior margin of orbit; outer oral teeth bicuspid, a few unicuspid teeth posteriorly; inner oral teeth tricuspid; 2-3 series of scales on cheek; eye small; lower pharyngeal jaw normal in shape; all pharyngeal teeth small, slender and densely packed; gill-rakers on lower limb short (Ref. 55898).
Coloration: Preserved: body very pale brownish yellow; 7 faint vertical bars below dorsal fin; dorsal fin grey, sometimes with narrow dark submarginal band and white tips; anal fin grey (Ref. 55898). Mature males: dark nape, snout and chin; belly pale; dorsum dark; dorsal fin with dark grey to black submarginal band and white tips; soft dorsal spotted; anal and caudal fins grey; ventral fin with dark leading edge (Ref. 55898). |