Taxonomy of Finfish

2.1.3 Fish Diagnostics

Fish identification depends mostly on the external morphological characters of the fish. Two main features are commonly used: morphometric and meristic characters. Of these the first as the name indicates utilises the morphological or external characters and the second the counts or the numbers. Depending upon the group of fi"shesthese vary. For instance in the case of fish without scales the number or counts of scales does not arise. H~ver the more commonly adopted measurements are detailed below. These are the essential data one has to take but many more can be added but their utility should be kept in mind.