| Diagnostic characters: 2-8 posterior preopercular spines; supraocular ridge and posttemporal, supracleithral and cleithral spines in postflexion larvae; 2 internal melanophores on nape, followed by an external series of 8-13 melanophores along dorsal midline of trunk and tail in preflexion and flexion larvae; up to 13 melanophores along anterior ventral midline of tail in preflexion larvae, becoming internal with growth; pigment around notochord tip.
Sequence of fin formation: caudal (4.3-8.0 m); dorsal (4.6-8.6 mm); anal (4.6-8.6 mm); pectoral (6.5-13.3 mm); pelvic (7.7-<13.3 mm).
Larvae settle on the bottom at >13.3 mm BL. |