Morphology Data of Trachipterus altivelis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Hart, J.L., 1973
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 eel-like
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

First 5 rays of dorsal fin greatly elongated in young becoming reduced with age, otherwise rather higher in center, extending almost to caudal and ends abruptly (Ref. 6885); caudal fin highly asymmetric, dorsal lobe becomes well developed in juveniles with 7-8 rays directed upward at an angle of 45° to body axis, and eventually with growth is much reduced; ventral lobe elongate in young specimens becoming reduced to 5-6 spines directed backward from the caudal base in older individuals; anal fin absent; pectorals small, rounded; pelvic fins elongate in young and juveniles, reduced to base in larger individuals (Ref. 6885). Juveniles iridescent silvery with a series of about 4 dark blotches spaced above lateral line canal; upright and pelvic fins carmine red; larger individuals rather very silvery and greener with light spots, around scales; posterior end of dorsal fin darker (Ref. 6885).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Trachipterus altivelis

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 9 - 11
on upper limb 3 - 5
total 12 - 16
Vertebrae
preanal
total 90 - 94

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes extending over most of the back length
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 165 - 184
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes other (see remark); asymmetric

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 0 - 0

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   10 - 11
Pelvics Attributes  other (see diagnosis)
Position    thoracic
Spines     0
Soft-rays   6 - 7
Back to Search
Comments & Corrections
cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17