Melanostigma kharini

This species is distinguished by the following characters: complete supratemporal commissure; no pores in temporal canal; no lateral lines on body; gill rakers on first branchial arch 12?14 in external row and 16?17 in internal row, total 28?30; pectoral fin rays 8-9; vertebrae 93?97 including 20?22 abdominal and 73?76 caudal; elongated and asymmetrical centra, length of anterior part of centrum (in abdominal part from fifth to eighth centrum) less than 60% of length of posterior part of centrum; dark anterior tip of head and tail, almost black posterior part of tail (Ref. 118708).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 91; Analsoft rays: 71; Vertebrae: 93 - 97