Helcogramma, McCulloch and Waite, 1918

Tashiro, Satokuni & Motomura, Hiroyuki, 2014, The Validity of Helcogramma ishigakiensis (Aoyagi, 1954) and a Synopsis of Species of Helcogramma from the Ryukyu Islands, Southern Japan (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae), Species Diversity 19, pp. 97-110 : 109

Key to the species of Helcogramma in the Ryukyu Islands

1a Lateral surface of body with three white (dusky in mature males) longitudinal stripes; orbital tentacles absent ............................................................................... H. striata

1b Lateral surface of body without longitudinal stripes; orbital tentacles present........................................................ 2

2a Symphyseal mandibular pores 5 or more ....................... 3

2b Symphyseal mandibular pore 1........................................ 4

3a Nape without scales; second dorsal-fin spines usually 13........................................................................... H. aquila

3b Nape with scales; second dorsal-fin spines usually 15.... ........................................................................... H. inclinata

4a Pored lateral-line scales 28–39; no longitudinal row of reddish or dark blotches on middle of lateral surface of body; largest specimen of more than 50 mm SL.............. .................................................................... H. ishigakiensis

4b Pored lateral-line scales 17–25; longitudinal row of reddish or dark blotches in middle of lateral surface of body (indistinct in mature males); largest specimen of less than 35 mm SL ............................................................ 5

5a Males with dermal prolongation on tip of snout; second dorsal-fin spines usually 15; anterior nostril tentacle unbranched.......................................... H. rhinoceros

5b No dermal prolongation on tip of snout; second dorsalfin spins usually 14; anterior nostril tentacle branched .................................................................... H. fuscipectoris