Morphology Data of Opistognathus walkeri
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Bussing, W.A. and R.J. Lavenberg, 2003
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 elongated
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

This is a large (10.2-11.7 cm SL), deep-bodied species with the following set of features: adults of both sexes with long maxilla, with flexible scimitar-shaped lamina, in males, extending beyond operculum; black inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes; D 12 or 13; A III; 21-26 gill rakers on lower limb of first arch; 54-55 pored lateral line scales; 16 caudal vertebrae (Ref. 75633).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Opistognathus walkeri

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales 54 - 55
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 25 - 26
on upper limb 13 - 17
total 38 - 39
Vertebrae
preanal 10 - 10
total 26 - 26

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 11 - 11
Soft-rays total 12 - 13
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 11 - 12

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   19 - 20
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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