M. Azab, A., M. M. Khalaf-Allah, H., A. M. Afifi, M. (2019). Identification key by scales differentiation for some labrid fishes, Red Sea, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 23(3), 207-223. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2019.40824
Ahmad M. Azab; Hassan M. M. Khalaf-Allah; Moharam A. M. Afifi. "Identification key by scales differentiation for some labrid fishes, Red Sea, Egypt". Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 23, 3, 2019, 207-223. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2019.40824
M. Azab, A., M. M. Khalaf-Allah, H., A. M. Afifi, M. (2019). 'Identification key by scales differentiation for some labrid fishes, Red Sea, Egypt', Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 23(3), pp. 207-223. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2019.40824
M. Azab, A., M. M. Khalaf-Allah, H., A. M. Afifi, M. Identification key by scales differentiation for some labrid fishes, Red Sea, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2019; 23(3): 207-223. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2019.40824
Identification key by scales differentiation for some labrid fishes, Red Sea, Egypt
The present study aimed to identification of labrid fish species (Family: Labridae) inhabiting coral reef in Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt based on differences in morphology of scales as well as construction of a key to the identification of these species. Fishes were collected from land fish market in Hurghada of Egyptian Red Sea, during the period from April 2016 to May 2017. The scales of studied species were removed, stained and examined.
Scales in labrid fish were mainly of cycloid type and covered the whole-body regions in most species of family Labridae and absent on operculum region in remnant species. The shape, margin, focus, separation line and granulation area of scales in different regions of the fish body may constitute as criteria for differentiating between studied labrid fish species. Scale shapes were trapezium, triangle, circular, hexagonal, obliquely quadrate, rhombic and irregular. Scale margin were emarginated, crescent, circular, biconcave, blunt, triangle and irregular in shape. The focus of scales was central and caudal area in position. The focus in scales was rounded and oval in shape. In the caudal field, separation line shape in scales was reversed V shape (^), somewhat straight, semi straight and circular. Granulation area in scales was triangular, circular, semicircular and crescent in shape. In conclusion: the differences in morphology of scales can be used as diagnostic characters in identification of fish species in family: Labridae inhabiting coral reef in Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt.