Pectoral fin long, extending beyond origin of the pelvic fin. First pectoral 

 element forming a very weak spine, ossified at base but filamentous, segmented, and 

 not forming a sharp tip distally; spine moderately flexible, anterior margin smooth, 

 without prominent teeth along posterior margin. Branched pectoral-fin rays 13 (7), 

 14 (7), or 15* (2). Pelvic fin moderately large, triangular in shape. Anal fin weakly 

 falcate in nonbreeding individuals, with 34* (2), 35 (1), 36 (6), 37 (2), or 39 (1) rays. 

 Anal pterygiophores 32* (1), 34 (3), 35 (2), or 36 (1). Pairs of pleural ribs either 9 

 (4) or 10 (2). Total vertebrae 51* (2), 52 (4), or 53 (1). Preanal vertebrae 19 (3) or 

 20*(4). ,5 ", 



Color in Alcohol ' , .'; 



Overall background color slate-gray to light brown on sides, deep brown or 

 nearly black on dorsum. Live and freshly preserved specimens with a steel-blue 

 cast. Top of body and head of nearly uniform darkness, often with obscure traces of 

 spots. Sides of body below lateral line with a characteristic strongly spotted pattern 

 (Fig. 53). Profuse black or purple spots on head and sides of body formed from 

 dense aggregations of minute specks, becoming more diffuse in intervening areas. 

 Spotting pattern irregular and somewhat variable; in some specimens the spots form 

 elongate, anastomosing reticulations. Belly and throat with considerable 

 pigmentation on a yellowish background, but generally more diffiise and not 

 forming discrete spots as on rest of body. Pigmentation on underside of head most 

 heavily concentrated as thin stripe along lower lip, along leading edge of dentary, as 

 broken spots over brachiostegals, and as diffuse submarginal band along free 

 portion of opercular flap. Skin over eye and small patch above cranial fontanelle 



unpigmented. 



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