Larvae with peculiar stages characterized by relatively large head (Myripristis sp), with supra-occipital crest, well-developed serrate spines on the pre-opercle, opercle, and rostrum(Myripristis sp 1) (Keene and Tighe, 1984). Nevertheless, identification of larvae to species level is still difficult. Length of spines diminish and head armor forms with development to pre-juvenile stage. Initially Cuvier and Valenciennes (1831) identified specimens collected from Indian Ocean as new genus Rhynchichthyis, later recognized as late post-larval stage of some species of Myripristis (Woods, 1955). Thereafter, pre-juvenile stage of holocentrids termed Rhynchichthyis stage.
Table Beryciformes
22 geographic zones