| In early larvae, few melanophores in postanal ventral series, no dorsal series, heavy lower jaw pigment, streak laterally on upper jaw, scattered on pectoral fins (not heavier at margin as in Sebastomus larvae); later larvae develop strong head spines; distinct saddles and bars in postflexion larvae and pelagic juveniles.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion: initially, covering gut, above mid- and hindbrain, heavy anteriorly on lower jaw, most have 1 or more laterally on upper jaw, scattered on pectoral fin blade, 4-11 in postanal ventral series (usually from 3rd to 13th postanal myomere); by end of stage, embedded at nape, heavier at upper region of pectoral fin; on oral valve of upper jaw.
Flexion: becoming restricted to margin of pectoral fin, except for upper patch; on inner surface of pectoral fin base.
Postflexion: by 8.0 mm, patch on upper opercular region; by about 12.0 mm, most have patch posteroventral to eye and a bar forming below first dorsal fin; at end of stage, a bar forms between second dorsal and anal fins.
Pelagic juveniles: saddle at dorsal fin origin; bar on caudal peduncle; proximally on pectoral, pelvic, second dorsal fins, and on 3 areas of first dorsal fin; streak in anal fin.
Sequence of fin development: pectorals, caudal, dorsal and anal, pelvics.
Also Ref. 34817. |
