Morphology Data of Opistognathus verecundus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 2004
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

This species is distinct with having D X-XI, 14 or 15 (typically XI, 14); upper jaw sexually dimorphic with flexible lamina posteriorly, end of maxilla slightly rounded in females becoming increasingly elongate and scimitar-shaped in adult males; 39-54 oblique scale rows in longitudinal series; 23-26 total gill-rakers on first arch; a single brownish spot, if present, between spines 2-4 of spinous dorsal fin (Ref. 76827).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus verecundus

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 15 - 17
on upper limb 8 - 9
total 23 - 26
Vertebrae
preanal 10 - 10
total 28 - 28

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 10 - 11
Soft-rays total 14 - 15
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 13 - 15

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   18 - 19
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17