| Early development of elongate, slender dorsal spine (spine II, but appears as first spine) and large, fan-like pectoral fin with marginal pigmentation; myomeres 25-26 (7-8+17-18 through mid-flexion, 12-13+12-13 in postflexion stage); larvae unpigmented except on pectoral fin, on elongate dorsal fin spine, and little on gas bladder and gut.
Pigmentation:
Dorsally on gas bladder; 1-few dorsally on hindgut, usually not visible after 4.3 mm; few on liver, usually not visible after 4.3 mm; on distal 20-25% of pectoral fin by 3.7 mm; discrete patches on sheath covering elongate dorsal spine by 7.5 mm; none to few on tips of central pelvic fin rays after 13 mm.
Transformation: Becoming completely pigmented on body and fins; distinct black blotch on upper opercle; light striping around eye.
Sequence of fin development: pectoral fin and first dorsal fin, principal caudal fin rays, anal fin, second dorsal fin, procurrent caudal fin rays and pelvic fin. |