Ringtail Tonguefish

This species is distinguished from its congeners by these characters: a 1-3-4 pattern of interdigitation of dorsal-fin pterygiophores and neural spines; caudal-fin rays 12; presence of an ocellated spot on the caudal fin in both sexes; total vertebrae 51, dorsal-fin rays 96-97, anal-fin rays 80-81; longitudinal scale rows 85-86; a pupillary operculum; non-pigmented peritoneum, uniformly pigmented blind side, and ocular-side background coloration without prominent dark spots or conspicuous crossbands (Ref. 75618).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 96 - 97; Analsoft rays: 80 - 81; Vertebrae: 51