| Main Ref. | Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene, 1990 |
| Appearance refers to | |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | |
| Different appearance | |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | none |
| Body shape lateral | fusiform / normal |
| Cross section | oval |
| Dorsal head profile | clearly convex |
| Type of eyes | more or less normal |
| Type of mouth/snout | more or less normal |
| Position of mouth | terminal |
| Type of scales | cycloid scales |
| Diagnosis |
Large adults appear blue underwater and usually have a small black spot at the dorsal fin base. Juveniles have a large white saddle spot following the black spot (Ref. 48636). A moderately small but prominent dark spot present on body at base of last dorsal-fin spine (spot not extending onto fin membrane). Body scales each with a blue centre in life forming horizontal rows of spots on side. Second prominent anterior canine in lower jaw distinctly shorter than first in adults, directed mostly dorsally and slightly anteriorly. 3 to 5 scales on subopercle. (Ref 9823) |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | 1 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 | 0 |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | |
| on upper limb | |
| total | |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | |
| total |
| Attributes | no striking attributes |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal 0 - 0 |
| Ventral 0 - 0 | |
| Spines total | 13 - 13 |
| Soft-rays total | 7 - 7 |
| Adipose fin | absent |
| Attributes | more or less truncate; more or less normal |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | 3 - 3 |
| Soft-rays total | 10 - 10 |
| Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
| Spines 0 | |
| Soft-rays 18 - 19 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes more or less normal |
| Position thoracic behind origin of D1 | |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays |