(12) Phallichthys amates (Miller 1907: 108); Merry widow (En), Olomina (Sp)

Figure 4A

Body moderately elongate and deep, almost rhomboid, moderately compressed; lateral line reduced to a series of individual pits along side of body; fins without spines; a single dorsal fin; males with anal fin modified into a long gonopodium extending to the caudal fin origin; caudal fin rounded; general coloration yellowish gray or pale yellow (almost transparent in some specimens) with bluish or purplish highlights; in some specimens, scales bordered by black, giving a cross-hatch pattern to the body (this pattern is more intensive along the mid-line of the flanks and sometimes resembles a series of X’s along the body); females usually with prominent black or purple blotch covering base of pelvic and/or anal fins; fins usually transparent or yellowish; maximum body length ca 70 mm SL.