New Caledonian Flagfin

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 16 rays, of moderate height, non- filamentous rays in either sex, third ray usually longest, only slightly longer than shortest rays at middle of fin, longest ray 17.0-25.4% SL in males and females, distal margin nearly straight in both sexes, only slightly concave; caudal peduncle length 14.2-17.7% SL; distance from anus to anal fin origin 1.7-3.0 in distance from pelvic fin origin to anus; head large, length 32.3-35.6% SL; eye large, orbital diameter 10.8-13.0% SL; snout length 7.5-9.4% SL; upper jaw length 15.4-17.2% SL; pectoral fin length 19.6-22.2% SL; pelvic fin length 24.3-29.6% SL; 7-9 scales between anus and anal fin origin; body reddish brown to brown above and white to silvery below with dark brown edged saddles dorsally becoming reddish blotches below; dorsal fin of males with large red margined yellow spots, in females with red spots of moderate size in (Ref. 105374).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Analsoft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 42 - 43