duck-billed shape of head |
eel-like |
|
duck-billed shape of head |
tube-like |
|
|
no spines |
no spines |
ventral row |
no other melanophores |
melanophores on trunk |
ventral row |
no other melanophores |
melanophores on head + trunk |
pigmented |
unpigmented |
with row of melanophores |
normal without melanophores |
normal (i.e. small or absent) without melanophores |
Elongate body; body depth at the base of the pectoral fin is around 8% of SL throughout larval development. The gut is straight and extends to some 78% of SL in 4 mm-long larvae, to 87% of SL at 12 mm SL, and to some 81% of SL in large larvae longer than 20 mm SL. Head length increases over development, from 15% of SL in small larvae to 21% of SL at 12 mm and to 19% at 20 mm SL. The distance from snout to eye also increases with growth. The eyes become more elongate with development, eye diameter being some 5% of SL in small larvae and some 3% at 12 mm. The position of the origin of the dorsal fin advances as larval length approaches 20 mm SL. |