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  • front nostril centered between top lip & rear nostril
    D, A & C continuous
    pelvics: threads under throat
  • front nostril on top lip
    male sex organ without bony appendages, merged with fleshy hood
    C usually fused to D&A
    no tooth patches on base of gill arches
    operculum with spine
    pelvic: absent or 1 thread under operculum
  • very elongate, tapering to filamentous tail
    D rays shorter than A rays
    D, A & C continuous
    no pelvics
    A origin under pectoral
  • front nostril at top lip
    head & body scaled
    C free from D&A
    base of gill arches: no tooth patch
    operculum with 1 spine
    male sex organ with 1 or more bony accessory parts, in cavity with fleshy hood
    pelvic = 1 thread under operculum
  • body long, tapering
    D2 & A: very long bases, not notched, not joined tail
    tail base slender
    C small
    chin: usually + barbel
    pelvic 1-6, on chest
  • 2-3 Ds
    1-2 As
    chin - 1 small barbel
  • body tapers to long thin point
    D1 short base, high
    D2 long base, low
    no C
    all lower head & body: luminous tissue
    anus between pelvics
    A: similar form to Ds