Lesser Scaled Cockatoo Waspfsh

This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XVI-XVII,5-6; A III,4-5; pectoral-fn rays 11; lateral-line pores 12-13; scale rows in longitudinal series 47-55; scale row above lateral line 0-1, below lateral line 17-18; scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-5; scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 1-4; thorax with scales; interspinous dorsal-fin membranes are strongly notched; last dorsal-fin soft ray joined posteriorly by membrane to dorsal edge of caudal peduncle but not to the upper margin of caudal fin; head length 37.7-38.7% (mean 38.2%) of SL; head depth 28.1-30.3% (29.1%) of SL; orbit diameter 12.4-12.7% (12.5%) of SL; anal-fin base length 19.8-22.8% (21.2%) of SL; pectoral-fin length 37.5-41.8% (39.9%) of SL; longest pelvic-fin soft ray length 30.5-31.2% (30.9%) of SL; vertebrae 9+15. Colouration: with a large white blotch (sometimes indistinct) on mid-body above the lateral line; body is bright reddish orange with small whitish spots on fins (in fresh specimens); whitish fins (in preserved specimens) (Ref. 123539).

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 6; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 4 - 5; Vertebrae: 24