Key to the Red Sea species of Fowleria

1 Large, dark, usually ocellated spot on opercle; dark bars on body, if present, 8–12 .................................................... 2

- No dark spot on opercle; body usually with 5–8 broad dark bars of varying intensity .................................. F. vaiulae

2 Pectoral fin rays 12–14; tubed lateral-line scales 9–12; no dark bars on body (bars sometimes present in F. variegata, see 3a below)................................................................................................................................................................. 3

- Pectoral fin rays 15 (rarely 14); tubed lateral-line scales 7–10; body with 10–12 darker bars, the posterior 4–5 less distinct (dusky spots in pattern similar to F. isostigma sometimes present) ............................................. F. marmorata

3 Body and fins (except pectoral) with irregular spots or blotches of varying intensity separated by pale areas usually forming variegated pattern (Figs. 1 B, C); spots and blotches sometimes align to form 8–12 dusky bars on body ....... ..................................................................................................................................................................... F. variegata

- No variegated pattern on body and fins; dark spots, if present, arranged in distinct series.......................................... 4

4 Median predorsal scales 4 (rarely 5); body brown to reddish brown peppered with minute dark dots ............ F.aurita

- Median predorsal scales 6 (rarely 5); body purplish to dark brown with about seven horizontal series of distinct dark brown spots (Fig. 1 A) ................................................................................................................................. F. isostigma