Morphology Data of Opistognathus whitehursti
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Randall, J.E., 1996
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 elongated
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

The dark spot (deep greenish blue in life) of the dorsal fin usually found between the 2nd and 4th or 5th dorsal spines; body densely mottled with dark brown and flecked with blackish; caudal fin and posterior part of dorsal fin are yellow with rows of small blackish spots (Ref. 13442).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus whitehursti

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 19 - 21
on upper limb 9 - 10
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 11 - 11
Soft-rays total 14 - 15
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 13 - 14

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   18 - 20
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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