Zoology.-] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Fishes. 



Plate 19. 



LOTELLA CALLARIAS (Gunth.). 



The Small-scaled Rock Cod. 



[Genus LOTELLA (Kattp.). (Sub-kingd. Vertebrata. Class Pisces. Order Anacanthini. 

 Fam. Gadidae.) 



Gen. Char. — Body moderately elongate, tapering from head. Caudal fin distinctly separated 

 from the dorsal and anal. Two dorsal fins, the second much the larger. One anal fin, nearly 

 equalling the second dorsal. Pectorals moderate, rounded. Ventral fin small, situated under the 

 front of the pectoral with a flat base, with usually two long filamentous outer rays and a few 

 shorter ones. Scales very small. Teeth forming a broad band of numerous rows in the upper 

 jaw, with conspicuously larger ones in the outer row ; no teeth on the vomer or palatine bones. 

 Branchiostegal rays, usually seven. Chin with a barbel.] 



Description. — Bays : branchiostegal, 7 ; anal, 58 ; dorsals, anterior 5, poste- 

 rior 63 ; ventral, 7 ; pectoral, 22 ; caudal, 28. Scales : along- lateral line, 244 

 tubular, and about 10 beyond to base of caudal rays not pierced ; vertical scales, 33 

 above lateral line, from front of first dorsal, 77 below lateral line. Color : whole 

 body and the scaly skin on base of dorsal, anal, pectoral, and caudal fins tawny- 

 brown, becoming- lighter towards the belly. Throat and lips pinkish flesh-color. 

 The margin of the dorsal, ventral, and caudal fins purplish-black, below which the 

 fins are purplish flesh-color, tinged with brown towards the base ; the anterior base 

 of each scale is lighter than the margin. Teeth : exceedingly minute, except the 

 larger conical teeth of the outer row, which are irregular in size, shape, and dis- 

 tribution ; about 7 or 8 on each side of upper jaw, and 10 or 12 on each side of 

 lower jaw. Fins : ventral with a moderately narrow base, the two outer rays simple 

 and extended into long filaments, the second longest nearly equalling the pectoral in 

 length, and reaching more than halfway from its base to the vent ; the other five 

 rays branched, and forming with the membrane the triangular fin rather more than 

 half the length of the longest filament. The shorter first filament equal to half the 

 length from base of pectoral to vent, and a little exceeding the barbel of the chin in 

 length. 



Reference.— Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. Feb. 1863, p. 116. 



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