Taxonomy of Finfish

1.2.13 Indented key

A - Body normal, not tapering to a point; caudal fin forked.

B - No scutes before or behind pelvic fin base; maxilla tip blunt; anal fin origin well behind last dorsal fin ray - Engraulis.

BB - Scutes present along belly, needle like; maxilla tip pointed; anal fin origin under last dorsal fin ray.

C - Scutes needle like, present only before pelvic fin base - Stolephorus.

CC - Scutes present before and behind pelvic fin base - Thryssa.

AA - Body tapering to a point; caudal fin not forked - Coilia.

The indented key has an advantage that the relationship of various divisions can be seen very quickly. But this key will be a very long key, alternatives may be widely separated and it is wasteful of space.