ðə dˈoːɹsəl ænd pˈɛktɚɹəl spˈaɪnz ɑːɹ ˈæbsənt, ɔːɹ wˈiːkli dɪvˈɛləpt æz ɪn lˈɛptəɡlˌænɪdˌɪniː ænd tɹˌækɪɡlˈɑːniz.
The dorsal and pectoral spines are absent, or weakly developed (as in Leptoglanidinae and Trachyglanis).