Myomeres 24 (5-6 preanal through mid-flexion, increasing to 8-9 in postflexion stage); no spines on head through flexion stage, then few very small preopercular spines in postflexion stage; slender larvae with short, coiled gut; lightly pigmented.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion: External pair usually present posteriorly over midbrain after 2.4 mm, always present after 3 mm; dorsally on gas bladder and hindgut; anteriorly on gut after 2.4 mm; 1 each anteriorly and posteriorly on ventral margin of gut; 18-20 on ventral margin of tail (about 1/myomere), decreasing to 12-13 beginning at postanal myomere 3-5 by end of stage.
Flexion: Internal pair dorsolaterally on hindbrain after 4.7 mm; 2nd external pair over midbrain at 4.8 mm; 0-1 at upper end of preopercle after 4.5 mm; 1 on isthmus at cleithral symphysis at 4.6 mm; 2 posteriorly on dorsal margin after 4.6 mm; decreasing to 6-8 on ventral margin of tail; 2-4 on hypural margin.
Postflexion: Increasing over midbrain and internally on mid- and hindbrain; over forebrain at 9.8 mm; at tip of snout by 11.5 mm; increasing on gas bladder and gut; 4 on isthmus by 11.5 mm; series forming along anal and second dorsal bases.
Sequuence of fin development: principal caudal fin rays, second dorsal and anal fin rays, pectoral, first dorsal and pelvic and procurrent caudal fin rays. |