Morphology Data of Melichthys niger
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012
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 short and / or deep
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

This species is distinguished by the following characters: a deep groove in front of eye; 20-25 head scale rows from corner of mouth to lower end of gill opening; 57-66 body scale rows from upper end of gill opening to caudal fin base; presence of prominent longitudinal ridges following scale rows of posterior body; slightly rounded to double emarginate caudal fin; a thin white bar neat posterior margin of the caudal fin; black spots on scales forming lines (Ref. 90102).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Melichthys niger

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

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 2
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 30 - 34
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 28 - 30

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     0
Soft-rays   15 - 17
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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