| none |
| normal (not striking) |
|
| none |
| elongated |
| |
|
| no spines |
no spines |
| ventral row |
| one dorso-ventral cluster or band |
| melanophores on trunk |
| ventral row |
| one dorso-ventral cluster or band |
| melanophores on trunk |
| unpigmented |
unpigmented |
| with row of melanophores |
| normal without melanophores |
| normal (i.e. small or absent) without melanophores |
| For larvae > 18 mm: 27 pre-anal and 18 post-anal myomeres. Advanced larva has a wide and inferior mouth. Maxillary bones with minute conical teeth cross beyond the eye, but are yet to reach beyond the operculum. Pectoral fins are membranous, semi-circular and possess rays. Pelvic rays are fully formed and are seven in number. The dorsal fin with 15 rays situated behind the middle of the body move forward and reached the middle as the larva grows. The anal fin has over 35 rays and a forked caudal fin with 25 rays.
Pigmentation: About 5 pigment spots are present near the foregut; 3 branching chromatophores above the mid gut and 4 at the base of the anal fin. A few pigment streaks are present at the base of the caudal lobe and also in the dorsal fin. |