| Main Ref. | Randall, J.E., 2005 |
| Appearance refers to | |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | |
| Different appearance | |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | |
| Body shape lateral (shape guide) | elongated |
| Cross section | |
| Dorsal head profile | |
| Type of eyes | |
| Type of mouth/snout | |
| Position of mouth | |
| Type of scales | |
| Diagnosis |
Short supraorbital tentacle; first dorsal fin shorter by about 50% than second dorsal fin; females dark bluish gray, bearing black double bars; back with series of pink blotches found on edges of scales; abdomen, chest, cheek, and lips pale gray with black spots; red coloration on top of head; a broad, oblique black band from eye to mouth and on chin; transparent dorsal fin bearing red rays; dusky anal and caudal fins; base of caudal black; males generally black with exception of abdomen and presence of a broad oblique band, that is light gray with black dots, on the cheek; fins colored similar as females except with more black on caudal. Dorsal rays III + XI-XIII + 8-10; lateral line interrupted, 17-21 + 14-18; mandibular pores 4-5 + 1 + 4-5 (Ref. 54980). |
| Ease of Identification |
| 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 |
| Attributes | extending over most of the back length |
| Fins number | 3 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | 14 - 16 |
| Soft-rays total | 8 - 10 |
| Adipose fin |
| Attributes | more or less truncate; more or less normal |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | 1 - 1 |
| Soft-rays total | 15 - 17 |
| Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays 15 - 17 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes more or less normal |
| Position jugular | |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays |