Scientific Name
Cubiceps whiteleggii
Common Name
Shadow driftfish
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 11 - 13;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 17-21;
Anal
spines: 2 - 3;
Anal
soft rays: 17 - 20;
Vertebrae: 31 - 32. Light to dark brown, fins dark; eye blue; young with dark band near base of tail (Ref. 4412). Body moderately elongate and compressed. Ventral profile very convex. Caudal peduncle moderately deep, compressed, lacking scutes or keels. Snout blunt, forehead slightly arched. Mouth small, terminal or slightly inferior, barely reaching beyond anterior margin of eye. Upper jaw not protractile, almost totally covered by lacrimal (preorbital) bone when mouth closed. Eye large , its diameter subequal to snout length, slightly smaller than interorbit, centered on upper half of head. Low ridge extending over eye. Jaw teeth small, in a single series. Palatine teeth more elongate, in single row. Vomerine tooth patch small. Single median row of teeth on tongue (Ref 9834).