| Moderate pigmentation in preflexion larvae, increasing with growth; pectoral fin covered with fine melanophores; paired series on gular membrane; short pectoral fin in transformation specimens and larvae and juveniles; 10 spines in first dorsal fin compared with 11 in Bellator.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion: Postanal ventral midline series, double anteriorly; patch above gut; ventrally on gut and embedded anteriorly; series laterally on upper jaw, sparse or absent in lower jaw; usually 2 series on each side of midline in gular region; lateral to hindbrain; at nape; elongate patch or series on dorsum, anteriorly on trunk.
Flexion-postflexion: Increasing on head with growth, eventually covering it; in late postflexion stage, patch on first dorsal fin and at hypural region, and saddles below first dorsal and second dorsal fins; pectoral fin covered, heaviest distally.
Sequence of fin development: principal caudal fin rays and pectoral fin, anal fin and second dorsal fin, first dorsal fin, procurrent caudal fin rays and pelvic fin. |
