Rapanui Lizardfish

This species is distinct in having the following characters: D 14-15; A 9-10; pectoral rays 12-14; lateral-line scales 57-59; 4½ or 5 scales between lateral line and base of dorsal fin; median predorsal scales 15-16; vertebrae 59-60, predorsal 15-15.5; peritoneal spots 1-8; anterior palatine teeth of inner row longer than posterior teeth; preopercle fully scaled; posterior flap of anterior nostril leaf-like and short, just reaching or extending slightly beyond rear edge of posterior nostril when laid back; depth of body 6.6-7.45 in SL; pectoral fins reaching well posterior to a line connecting dorsal- and pelvic-fin origins, fin length 2.1-2.4 in HL; alcohol preserved color pale brown, body with 8 dark-edged brown bars, each with 3 constrictions, 2 above and 1 below lateral line; even-numbered bars darker; 2 irregular dark brown bars across lips, larger one below eye, the other just before corner of mouth; a pair of very small black spots dorsally at tip of snout, each followed by a dark brown line, the 2 lines merging posteriorly on snout; 2 dark brown spots on adipose fin; remaining fins pale, anterior dorsal fin rays with faint dark spots; when fresh, the color is orangish brown dorsally, white ventrally, white spaces between dark bars on body just above lateral line with horizontal row of 2-4 small dark brown blotches, 1 per scale ; white spaces below lateral line with 2 small interconnected vertically aligned reddish orange blotches; rows of red spots on rays of dorsal, anal and caudal fins; 2 broad black bands across lips; irregular red cross bands on caudal fin lobes (Ref. 80927).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analsoft rays: 9 - 10

Collected on rock and sandy bottom with rotenone and with about 250 m hook and line (Ref. 80927).