Morphology Data of Trichonotus somaliensis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Katayama, E., H. Motomura and H. Endo, 2012
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks Males larger than females; sexual changes probably occur at about 7.5 cm SL; female and male size ranges overlapping between 6.96 and 7.41 cm SL; length of the dorsal fin becoming significantly greater at ca. 6.96 - 8.32 cm SL; pelvic and caudal fins become relatively longer with growth, proportions clearly changing at ca. 7.0 cm SL (Ref. 93824).

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section circular
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

This species is distinguished from its congeners in having the following characters: D III-IV, 44-47; A 35-38; lateral-line scales 54-56; gill rakers 5-6 + 18-24; entire body with scales; both sexes have a longitudinal row of 12-14 blotches on body; elongated dorsal-fin spines absent, but with high dorsal fin overall; males with first dorsal-fin soft ray length 19-28% of SL; absence of free dorsal pterygiophores (Ref. 93824).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Trichonotus somaliensis

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 54 - 56
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 3.5 - 4.5
Scale rows below lateral line 5.5 - 6
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 18 - 24
on upper limb 5 - 6
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 52 - 54

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 3 - 4
Soft-rays total 44 - 47
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total 35 - 38

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   13 - 14
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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