Question:
Arrange the following fishes based on number of dorsal fin spines they have, starting from the least to the most :
(A) Mugil cephalus
(B) Sillago sihama
(C) Arius arius
(D) Sphyraena barracuda
(E) Oreochromis mossambicus
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Arrange the following fishes based on number of dorsal fin spines they have, starting from the least to the most :
(A) Mugil cephalus
(B) Sillago sihama
(C) Arius arius
(D) Sphyraena barracuda
(E) Oreochromis mossambicus
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
(A) Mugil cephalus
(B) Sillago sihama
(C) Arius arius
(D) Sphyraena barracuda
(E) Oreochromis mossambicus
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Show Hint
Remember: Catfish (Arius) have only 1 dorsal spine (least), whereas Tilapia (Cichlid) have a long continuous dorsal fin with 15--18 spines (most). This simplifies the ordering process.
Updated On: Jul 21, 2026
- (C), (A), (D), (B), (E).
- (C), (E), (A), (B), (D).
- (E), (C), (B), (D), (A).
- (A), (E), (B), (D), (C).
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The number of spines in the dorsal fin is a conservative meristic character used in fish taxonomy to identify and classify species.
Spines are hard, unsegmented, and unbranched skeletal elements, whereas soft rays are flexible, segmented, and branched.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us determine the count of dorsal fin spines for each species under ideal taxonomic parameters:
1. Arius arius (Threadfin sea catfish) (C): Like most catfishes, it possesses only 1 prominent, thick serrated spine in its first dorsal fin (which is followed by soft rays). This is the least number of spines.
2. Mugil cephalus (Flathead grey mullet) (A): Characterized by having exactly 4 stiff spines in its separate first dorsal fin.
3. Sphyraena barracuda (Great barracuda) (D): Possesses 5 spines in its first dorsal fin.
4. Sillago sihama (Silver sillago) (B): Its first dorsal fin is tall and contains 10 to 11 slender, flexible spines.
5. Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia) (E): Possesses a single, long continuous dorsal fin with a very prominent spiny portion containing 15 to 18 hard spines. This is the most number of spines.
Arranging these fishes from the least to the most dorsal spines yields the sequence:
(C) Arius arius (1) \(\rightarrow\) (A) Mugil cephalus (4) \(\rightarrow\) (D) Sphyraena barracuda (5) \(\rightarrow\) (B) Sillago sihama (10-11) \(\rightarrow\) (E) Oreochromis mossambicus (15-18).
This matches the sequence: (C), (A), (D), (B), (E).
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct sequence is (C), (A), (D), (B), (E).
The number of spines in the dorsal fin is a conservative meristic character used in fish taxonomy to identify and classify species.
Spines are hard, unsegmented, and unbranched skeletal elements, whereas soft rays are flexible, segmented, and branched.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us determine the count of dorsal fin spines for each species under ideal taxonomic parameters:
1. Arius arius (Threadfin sea catfish) (C): Like most catfishes, it possesses only 1 prominent, thick serrated spine in its first dorsal fin (which is followed by soft rays). This is the least number of spines.
2. Mugil cephalus (Flathead grey mullet) (A): Characterized by having exactly 4 stiff spines in its separate first dorsal fin.
3. Sphyraena barracuda (Great barracuda) (D): Possesses 5 spines in its first dorsal fin.
4. Sillago sihama (Silver sillago) (B): Its first dorsal fin is tall and contains 10 to 11 slender, flexible spines.
5. Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia) (E): Possesses a single, long continuous dorsal fin with a very prominent spiny portion containing 15 to 18 hard spines. This is the most number of spines.
Arranging these fishes from the least to the most dorsal spines yields the sequence:
(C) Arius arius (1) \(\rightarrow\) (A) Mugil cephalus (4) \(\rightarrow\) (D) Sphyraena barracuda (5) \(\rightarrow\) (B) Sillago sihama (10-11) \(\rightarrow\) (E) Oreochromis mossambicus (15-18).
This matches the sequence: (C), (A), (D), (B), (E).
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct sequence is (C), (A), (D), (B), (E).
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