| Main Ref. | Randall, J.E. and D.F. Hoese, 1985 |
| Appearance refers to | Male; Female |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | protruding genital papilla (m) |
| Different appearance | always different morphology between mature adults |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks | Genital papilla in males is pointed and smooth whereas in females, it is rounded and spongy (Ref. 528). |
| Striking features | |
| Body shape lateral (shape guide) | elongated |
| Cross section | compressed |
| Dorsal head profile | more or less straight |
| Type of eyes | more or less normal |
| Type of mouth/snout | more or less normal |
| Position of mouth | superior |
| Type of scales | cycloid scales |
| Diagnosis |
Light blue to pale bluish gray; upper edge of operculum with a longitudinal iridescent blue band divided into 2 sections. Caudal fin yellowish, some with an orangish streak passing anteriorly from spot; 1st dorsal fin not as high as the 2nd; 2nd dorsal and anal fins not elevated anteriorly; pelvic fins not long; base of pectoral fin usually with a blue-edged salmon-pink spot. |
| Ease of Identification |
| 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 | 0 |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | 17 - 20 |
| on upper limb | 5 - 6 |
| total | 22 - 26 |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | 10 - 10 |
| total | 26 - 26 |
| Attributes | other |
| Fins number | 2 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | 7 - 7 |
| Soft-rays total | 29 - 33 |
| Adipose fin | absent |
| Attributes | more or less truncate; more or less normal |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | 1 - 1 |
| Soft-rays total | 27 - 30 |
| Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
| Spines 0 | |
| Soft-rays 21 - 24 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes more or less normal |
| Position thoracic before origin of D1 | |
| Spines 1 | |
| Soft-rays 4 - 4 |