Identification Key of  Sharphead eartheater - Satanoperca acuticeps

Satanoperca acuticeps - 3rd WOOD RIVER

1 ”- Absence of a dark spot on the posterior end of the operculum .......................................................................................................... 3

3 ”-“ American ”type lip arrangement, ie the dental skin folds over that of the posterior end of the premaxilla ......................................................6

6 ”- More than one set of jaw teeth, all movable (depressible) teeth .......................................................................................................... 7

7 ”- First branchial arch with short and less numerous tracks (40 or fewer tracks) ............................................................................................... 9

9 ”- Scales of the lateral line with a sensory channel .................. 11

11 '- Bone and cutaneous expansion of the upper region of the first branchial arch forming a well developed lobe ................................................12

12 ”- Flank spot absent or mid-body in mid-lateral position ........ 13

13 ”- More than 13 tracks in the first keratobranchial ................... 15

15 ”- The whole area between the infraorbitals and the exposed portion of the preopercle covered by scales; non-scaled dorsal and anal fin radial membranes ....................................................................................... 16

16 ”- Absence of a dark longitudinal band on the sides ............... 18

18 '- Three rounded spots on the flanks below the level of the anterior branch of the lateral line ........................................... Satanoperca acuticeps