Image source: Jeff Whitlock | The Online Zoo
Western Atlantic: North Carolina to Cape Canaveral in northeastern Florida, USA and the entire Gulf of Mexico, including Florida Keys. Max length : 30 cm TL Dorsal-fin with short filaments at tips of spines; dorsal-fin rays 11 (rarely 10 or 12). Caudal-fin branched rays 15. Total gill rakers on first arch (including rudiments) 17-22. Body pale, with 7 more or less distinct, dark vertical bars. Dorsal and caudal fins pale, with several dark spots and a few smaller white spots. Dorsal spines with short filaments rarely extending past spine tips. No large black spot at base of last 3 dorsal-fin spines. Dark bars on body blackish brown and distinct, the lower third of bars often separated as a longitudinal series of black blotches. Dorsal and caudal fins with small black spots. Adult with violet streaks on front of head, upper jaw and lip.
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