Morphology Data of Benthochromis melanoides
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Takahashi, T., 2008
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: eye length usually longer than snout length (112-132%); usually 28-29 total dorsal fin rays; pelvic fins of large males <25% standard length; no distinct pearl-grey longitudinal line through the upper end of the pectoral fin base; black large blotch on nape present; no longitudinal pearl-grey lines on body (Ref. 74417).

Description: 39-69 outer teeth on premaxilla; 43-62 scales in upper part of lateral line, 30-41 in lower (Ref. 74417).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Benthochromis melanoides

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 66 - 77
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 22 - 28
Vertebrae
preanal
total 35

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 16 - 19
Soft-rays total 10 - 12
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     3
Soft-rays   9 - 11
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     0
Soft-rays   15 - 17
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
Comments & Corrections
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