| Melanophore(s) under hindbrain present in preflexion stage, on posterior margin of midbrain beginning in flexion stage; relatively elongate and slender; up to 15 small to moderate spines on posterior preopercular margin; myomeres 7-9+17-19=25-27 (usually 8+18) through flexion stage, 10-12+14-16 (usually 10+16) in postflexion stage.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion-postflexion: On angular at about 4-5 mm; at tips of jaws at about 8.0 mm; externally over midbrain beginning at about 13 mm; over forebrain and on opercular area by about 15.0 mm; under hindbrain; posteriorly on midbrain by about 6.0 mm; dorsally on gas bladder and hindgut; 0-7 on ventral margin from isthmus to hindgut, usually 3-4 in preflexion stage decreasing to 1-2 in postflexion stage; occasionally few externally on lateral surface of abdominal area after 13.0 mm; 10-25 on ventral margin of tail (usually 13-16); on anal fin base after about 4.3 mm; usually 1 on lower hypural margin.
Transformation: Increasing on upper half of head and body; 2 dorsolateral stripes form; irregular blotches along lateral midline fill in to form midlateral stripe; increasing on spinous dorsal fin ray, bands form on soft dorsal and anal fin rays; few scattered on caudal fin.
Sequence of fin development: principal caudal fin rays, second dorsal and anal and procurrent caudal fin rays, first dorsal and pectoral, pelvic. |
