Main Ref. | Smith, D.G., 1999 |
Appearance refers to | |
Bones in OsteoBase |
Specialized organs | |
Different appearance | |
Different colors | |
Remarks |
Striking features | |
Body shape lateral | eel-like |
Cross section | |
Dorsal head profile | more or less straight |
Type of eyes | |
Type of mouth/snout | |
Position of mouth | |
Type of scales | |
Diagnosis |
Diagnosis: Distinguished from all other species by the mottled colour and the long dorsal fin, which begins closer to the gill opening than to the anus (Ref. 9828). Description: Typical eel form with dorsal fin origin nearer to gill slit than to anus, distance from dorsal fin to anal 16-19% of total length (Ref. 52193). Head rounded; snout depressed; lower jaw protruded; gill openings small; maxillary toothbands with distinct longitudinal groove (Ref. 45563, 52193). Pectoral fin rounded; pelvic fin absent (Ref. 45563). Scales matted-like under skin (Ref. 45563). Colouration: Adults have a brownish to black marbling on their back on a greyish yellow background; this colouration can fade away; white belly; younger specimens are greyish to orange and the marbling is less visible (Ref. 48622). Body colour brown speckles scattered on back, sides and fins; yellow between speckles and edge of pectoral fin; belly white or pale blue (Ref. 45563). |
Ease of Identification |
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 | 100 - 110 |
Attributes | |
Fins number | 1 |
Finlets No. | Dorsal |
Ventral | |
Spines total | |
Soft-rays total | |
Adipose fin | absent |
Attributes | confluent |
Fins number | |
Spines total | |
Soft-rays total |
Pectoral | Attributes |
Spines | |
Soft-rays 15 - 21 | |
Pelvics | Attributes |
Position absent | |
Spines 0 | |
Soft-rays 0 - 0 |