Morphology Data of Anguilla marmorata
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Smith, D.G., 1999
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 eel-like
Cross section
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all other species by the mottled colour and the long dorsal fin, which begins closer to the gill opening than to the anus (Ref. 9828).

Description: Typical eel form with dorsal fin origin nearer to gill slit than to anus, distance from dorsal fin to anal 16-19% of total length (Ref. 52193). Head rounded; snout depressed; lower jaw protruded; gill openings small; maxillary toothbands with distinct longitudinal groove (Ref. 45563, 52193). Pectoral fin rounded; pelvic fin absent (Ref. 45563). Scales matted-like under skin (Ref. 45563).

Colouration: Adults have a brownish to black marbling on their back on a greyish yellow background; this colouration can fade away; white belly; younger specimens are greyish to orange and the marbling is less visible (Ref. 48622). Body colour brown speckles scattered on back, sides and fins; yellow between speckles and edge of pectoral fin; belly white or pale blue (Ref. 45563).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Anguilla marmorata

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
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 100 - 110

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes confluent

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   15 - 21
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    absent
Spines     0
Soft-rays   0 - 0
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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