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Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XII,8½ (38 split to base); A III,5½; pectoral-fin rays 21, the second through fifth ray branched; penultimate dorsal-fin spine more than half length of ultimate spine; gill rakeres, upper-limb 4, lower 6-7; relatively deep body, depth 36.2-37.0 SL, upper body below spinous dorsal fin arched; eye large, snout short; occipital pit moderate to shallow, no significant suborbital pit; interorbital space narrow and shallow, its width 3.2-5.2% SL, width between supraocular spines 4.3-6.3% SL, interorbital ridges are not developed; suborbital ridge with 2 small spines, one at midpoint, one at end; simple lacrimal spines 2, posterior spine oriented straight down; preopercular spines 5, the first spine reaching halfway across operculum with no supplemental preopercular spine, second spine much shorter than third; upper posttemporal spine directed obliquely upward; with cleithral spine; lower rim of upper corneal layer (= “corneal drape”) of eye with rounded tabs associated with tentacles; lateral line scales 23, some with tentacles; anterior mandibular pores paired. Colouration: a dark bar on cheek below rear half of eye, dark blotches on operculum above and below the first preopercular spine, indistinct dark blotch on anterior mid-body, a series of dark spots and saddles along base of spinous and soft dorsal fins, dusky caudal peduncle, two dark bands on both the soft dorsal and anal fins, clear caudal fin, dark base and tip of pectoral fin, and dark pelvic fins (Ref. 94246). |