8 + 9 principal rays, and about 17-25 (x = 21) upper and 13-18 (x = 16) lower 

 procurrent rays. Number of anal-fin rays extremely variable, ranging fi-om 29-42 (x 

 = 35). Anal pterygiophores equally variable, ranging fi-om 27-38, Anterior 3-6 or 7 

 anal rays thickened and lengthened to form slightly recurved gonopodium in nuptial 

 males. Pectoral-fin spine short (16-23 %SL) and relatively robust in comparison to 

 congeners; dorsal and ventral margins of shaft with 2-3 prominent longitudinal 

 grooves and ridges, granular near base; posterior margin of spine with about 12-30 

 fairly long, sharp, retrorse serrae, in a single row distally, broken into 2 or 3 rows 

 near base. Soft pectoral rays 9-12, modally 11. 



Total vertebrae 38-43, modally 40. Preanal vertebrae 13-16, modally 14. 

 Swimbladder of adults very large, peritoneal tunica moderately turgid and thickened 

 where internal septae contact interior walls, with two long, tubular posterior caecae 

 (Fig. 20e). MuUerian ramus expanded into discoidal plate (Fig. 18b), impinging on 

 large anterolateral opening of swimbladder. 



Color in Alcohol 



Many specimens show little trace of pigmentation, presumably due to an 

 overall light coloration at the time of initial fixation, but also possibly the result of 

 bleaching during long-term storage in preservative. Many specimens, however, have 

 pronounced spots on the head, dorsum, and sides of the body, which is thought to be 

 the typical coloration pattern of the species (Fig. 38). As in other species, there is 

 probably some variation in intensity of pigmentation depending on water clarity. 

 The background color of the entire body consists of an off-white or yellowish tinge. 

 The top of the head, dorsum, and sides above the lateral line are typically peppered 

 with large, discrete brown or black spots consisting of minute, densely aggregated 

 chromatophores, as illustrated by Fisher (1917) in the original description of A. 



