<Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyceps improcerum</Emphasis>, a new sisoroid catfish from Kachin State,Myanmar (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae)

A new species of amblycipitid catfish is here described from the Indawgyi Lake basin of the Irrawaddy River drainage in Kachin State, Myanmar as Amblyceps improcerum, new species. It can be distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: lower jaw longer than upper; head length 17.4–22.3% SL; head width 13.7–15.2% SL; head depth 9.0–11.7% SL; interorbital distance 31–39% HL; eye diameter 7–10% HL; 37–38 vertebrae; lateral line incomplete; predorsal length 25.5–30.7% SL; smooth posterior margin of pectoral spine; pectoral-fin length 13.5–16.8% SL; pelvic-fin length 9.6–13.4% SL; dorsal-to-adipose distance 25.2–28.7% SL; length of adipose-fin base 19.4–23.3% SL; adipose fin separate from dorsal procurrent caudal-fin rays; preanal length 62.1–66.9% SL; body depth at anus 9.8–12.8% SL; depth of caudal peduncle 10.1–12.6% SL; length of caudal peduncle 21.4–24.0% SL, post-adipose distance 15.8–17.8% SL; weakly-forked caudal fin with short broadly, rounded lobes (length of longest ray 1.3–1.5 times length of median rays); centrally projecting hooks on proximal lepidotrichia of median caudal-fin rays absent.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus nickolensis</Emphasis>, a new hairtail from Australia belonging to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus russelli</Emphasis> complex (Perciformes: Trichiuridae)

A new hairtail, Trichiurus nickolensis, is described on the basis of ten specimens collected off northwestern Australia, off the Northern Territory, and in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland. The new species strongly resembles T. brevis Wang and You in Wang et al., 1992, off Hainan Island, South China Sea, and T. russelli Dutt and Thankam, 1966, off the Waltair Coast, Andhra Pradesh, India, in having the highest point of the supraoccipital crest situated directly above the posterior margin of the eye and a relatively short caudal peduncle. Trichiurus nickolensis differs from those two species in being strongly pigmented on the anterior section of the dorsal fin membrane (vs. slightly pigmented), and having a dorsal head margin that appears concave in lateral view, rises gently from snout tip to above middle of orbit, and then extends more steeply to dorsal fin origin (vs. rising gently from tip of snout to dorsal fin origin). The new species also has a greater number of dorsal fin rays (III, 138–143 vs. III, 127–132 and III, 127–131 in T. brevis and T. russelli, respectively) and total vertebrae (160–166 vs. 147–155 and 149–153), and shorter preanal length (mean 30% TL vs. 33% TL and 35% TL), head length (11% TL vs. 12% TL and 13% TL) and upper jaw length (4% TL vs. 5% TL and 5% TL).     

A description of the smallest Triodon on record (Teleostei: Tetraodontiformes: Triodontidae)

The smallest known specimen (20mm standard length: SL) of Triodon macropterus Lesson is described and illustrated. It is easily distinguished from superficially similar tetraodontid and diodontid larvae or early juveniles of comparable size by the following characters: separate premaxillae in conjunction with the fused dentaries; the presence of multicuspid spinoid scales; the jet-black mark in front of the soft dorsal fin; the developing pelvis, which is visible through the distended skin of the belly; and the presence of a number of procurrent caudal fin rays. The small Triodon differs from the adult in possessing a huge head that measures 45% SL (vs. 28.5–32.7% in adult), the absence of the characteristic dewlap with the conspicuous lateral ocellus, and the structure of the scales and nostrils.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leiognathus aureus</Emphasis> complex (Perciformes: Leiognathidae) with the description of a new species

Taxonomic analysis of a group of morphologically similar ponyfishes (Perciformes: Leiognathidae) establishes a complex comprising three valid species: Leiognathus aureus Abe and Haneda, 1972, widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean (Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and northern Australia); L. hataii Abe and Haneda, 1972, currently known only from Ambon, Indonesia; and L. panayensis sp. nov. Kimura and Dunlap, currently known only from Panay Island, the Philippines. The L. aureus complex can be defined by the following combination of characters: mouth protruding forward, not downward; small but sharp conical teeth uniserially on jaws; a black line between lower margin of eye and lower jaw articulation; and lateral line incomplete, ending below posterior part of dorsal fin base or on anterior caudal peduncle. Leiognathus hataii differs from both L. aureus and L. panayensis in having a large dark blotch below the spinous dorsal fin base and fewer counts of scales (lateral line scales 50–58 vs. 64–85 in the latter two species; scales above lateral line 7–10 vs. 12–18; scales below lateral line 22–26 vs. 30–41). Leiognathus panayensis is distinguished from L. aureus in having a deeper body (41–51% SL vs. 35–45% SL in the latter), long posterior limb of maxilla (21–25% HL vs. 15–23% HL), wholly scaled belly (vs. naked along preanal median keel), and a dark blotch on nape (vs. absent).     

Amblyceps crassioris,a new sisoroid catfish from Odisha,India (Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae)

Amblyceps crassioris, a new species of amblycipitid catfish, is described from the Mahanadi River basin in Odisha, India. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners in having a combination of the following characters: a deeply forked caudal fin, centrally projecting hooks on proximal lepidotrichia of median caudal-fin rays absent, jaws equal in length, lateral line absent, body depth at anus 15.1%–19.5% standard length (SL), caudal peduncle depth 13.0%–18.3% SL, adipose-fin base length 21.1%–27.1% SL, eye diameter 7.35%–14.1% head length and 38 total vertebrae.     

Reexamination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bregmaceros lanceolatus</Emphasis> Shen, 1960 with description of a new species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bregmaceros pseudolanceolatus</Emphasis> (Gadiformes: Bregmacerotidae)

Based on our reexamination of the 9 specimens including the neotype, Bregmaceros lanceolatus is recharacterized and diagnosed by the following combination of features: caudal fin rounded; scales present on gill cover; dorsal surface of snout unpigmented or with a few chromatophores; isthmus pigmented with punctate chromatophores; two parapophyses on abdominal vertebrae; dorsal rays (D) 65–74; anal rays (A) 67–74; vertebrae (V) 58–61; longitudinal scales (LS) ca. 82–88; principal caudal rays (PC) 16–18; head length (HL)/standard length (SL) 14.0–15.5%; caudal peduncle depth/SL 3.2–4.2%. Based on 27 specimens, B. pseudolanceolatus sp. nov. is described. This species is closely similar to B. lanceolatus, but is diagnosed by the following combination of features: caudal fin rounded; scales present on gill cover; dense concentration of chromatophores on dorsal surface of snout; isthmus colorless; one board-like parapophysis on the last three abdominal vertebrae; D 58–64; A 58–67; V 52–55; LS ca. 68–77; PC 14–16; HL 15.5–18.4% SL; caudal peduncle depth 4.1–5.2% SL. Bregmaceros pseudolanceolatus is known from around the Taiwan Strait, southern East China Sea, South China Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Timor Sea, Arafura Sea, and eastern Bay of Bengal.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Adrianichthys roseni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzias nebulosus</Emphasis>, two new ricefishes (Atherinomorpha: Beloniformes: Adrianichthyidae) from Lake Poso,Sulawesi, Indonesia

Two new species of ricefishes or buntingi, Adrianichthys roseni and Oryzias nebulosus, are described from Lake Poso, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia, bringing to 12 the number of endemic ricefishes known from Sulawesi. Adrianichthys roseni and its sole congener, A. kruyti, are distinguished from other relatively large-bodied ricefishes, Xenopoecilus, in having orbits that project beyond the dorsal profile of the head; paired preethmoid cartilages (versus single or absent in Xenopoecilus); and 13–16 (versus 8–13) dorsal fin rays. Also, as in A. kruyti, the lower jaw of A. roseni is enclosed in the upper jaw when the mouth is closed; however, the upper jaw is not as large and broadly expanded as in A. kruyti. Adrianichthys roseni differs further from A. kruyti in having fewer scales in a lateral series (approximately 63–65 versus 70–75), attaining a smaller maximum recorded standard length (90mm versus 109mm), and having the lateral process of the pelvic bone in line with the fifth, rather than the eighth, pleural rib. Oryzias nebulosus shares with O. nigrimas, also from Lake Poso, a unique sexual dichromatism in preserved specimens: adult males are dark gray to black, whereas females are a lighter grayish-yellow to brown. Relative to O. nigrimas, O. nebulosus is a small species (maximum recorded SL 33mm versus 51mm), with pelvic fins relatively anterior (lateral process of pelvic bone is in line with the third, fourth, or fifth, modally fourth, rather than the fourth or fifth, modally fifth, pleural rib), dorsal fin relatively anterior (origin above the 12–14th anal fin ray as opposed to the 15–17th anal fin ray), precaudal vertebrae 11–13, modally 12 (versus 13–14, modally 13), and relatively straight, narrow and slender (as opposed to curved, broad, and robust) ossified and cartilaginous portions of the gill arches. Endemic buntingi are threatened by introduction of exotic species, overfishing, and pollution. A conservation plan includes rearing native fishes for local use as ornamental fishes and possible reintroduction.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Uncisudis posteropelvis</Emphasis>, a new species of barracudina (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) from the western North Pacific Ocean

Six specimens (2 flexion larvae: 9.5–10.4mm in notochord length; 4 postflexion larvae: 12.3–18.2mm in standard length) collected from the western North Pacific are tentatively ascribed to the genus Uncisudis of the tribe Lestidiini of the subfamily Paralepidinae (Paralepididae) in sharing remarkably elongate and filamentous pelvic fin rays, their tips reaching the origin of the anal fin. They are described as Uncisudis posteropelvis sp. nov. in uniquely having the insertion of pelvic fins closer to the origin of anal fin than to the posterior end of dorsal fin base among lestidiine species. Addition to this character, the new species has remarkably elongate and filamentous dorsal fin rays, the short distance between anus and origin of anal fin (4.2–6.1% of standard length, SL), the posteriorly located pelvic fins (prepelvic length 69.4–71.5% SL), dorsal fin rays 10, anal fin rays 28–29, myomeres 41–42+38–40=80–81 (vertebrae 38+41=79), and peritoneal pigment spots 11–12. The occurrence of larvae differing in pigment pattern from the present new species suggests another undescribed species of Uncisudis in the western South Pacific.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dolichopteryx pseudolongipes</Emphasis>, a new species of spookfish (Argentinoidei: Opisthoproctidae) from the eastern Pacific Ocean

A new species of opisthoproctid, Dolichopteryx pseudolongipes, is described on the basis of three specimens (48.7–79.9 mm in standard length: SL) collected from the eastern Pacific Ocean. This species is characterized by small tubular eyes (diameter 2.7–3.9% SL), presence of an adipose fin, anal fin base originating under the dorsal fin base, relatively short predorsal (73.3–73.8% SL), prepelvic (64.3–67.9% SL), preanal (77.4–80.1% SL), and preanus (71.5–75.7% SL) lengths; 31–33 (=9–10 + 22–24) gill rakers and 43–45 vertebrae. Although D. pseudolongipes had previously been confused with Dolichopteryx longipes, many differences between the species are apparent [e.g., adipose fin absent, anal fin base origin just behind dorsal fin base, greater prepelvic length (70.3–72.7% SL), 25 gill rakers, and 46–47 vertebrae in D. longipes].     

A new blind loach, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreonectes elongatus</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Guangxi,China

A new loach, Oreonectes elongatus sp. nov. is described based on collections from Mulun Township, Huanjiang County, Guangxi in China. It is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: most elongate body (body depth/SL 8.62–10.68%), blind, a forked caudal fin, obvious adipose dorsal crest and ventral crest; entire body naked and de-pigmented. Although the new species has a similar distribution with O. macrolepis, it can be distinguished by scales (absent in O. elongatus vs. present in O. macrolepis), shape of snout (elongate vs. round), the opposite position of the dorsal and pelvic fins origins (behind vs. front). The new species shares the same possession of dorsal and ventral crests, a forked caudal fin, eyeless, naked body and incomplete lateral line with O. translucens, but can be distinguished from the latter by caudal fin crest (more developed and translucent in O. translucens), longer anterior nostril tube and barbel, extreme of pectoral fin reaching 2/3 of the distance between origin of pectoral and pelvic fins, more vertebrae (4 + 38–39 vs. 4 + 32).     

Larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arnoglossus elongatus</Emphasis> (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae) from northwestern Australia

Eleven postflexion larvae (9.1–23.9mm standard length: SL) of a bothid, Arnoglossus elongatus, from northwestern Australian waters were described. These specimens were characterized by vertebral numbers of 11–12+32–34=43–45, slender body, remarkably elongated second dorsal fin ray, and presence of melanophores on and slightly above midlateral line of body, plus on dorsal wall of abdominal cavity and air bladder (specimens >12.6mm SL), proximally on caudal fin rays (>16.5mm SL), and on pterygiophore zones of dorsal fin and anal fin (>23.8mm SL).     

A new miniature species of the genus Triplophysa (Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae) from Yunnan, China

During a re-examination of museum specimens of Triplophysa species, some specimens that had been collected from the Jialonghe River in Yunnan Province, China, in April 1975, were identified as a new species. Triplophysa parvus n. sp. can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: dorsal fin rays 3, ; anal fin rays 3, ; pectoral fin rays 1, 11; scales absent; two saddle-like blotches with fuzzy borders cranial to the dorsal fin and four saddle-like blotches caudal to the dorsal fin; distal margin of the dorsal fin emarginate; pelvic fin reaching caudally almost to the anus; anus located immediately cranial to the origin of the anal fin; caudal fin forked; caudal chamber of air bladder reduced to a small free protuberance; head slightly laterally compressed, head deeper than wide at nape; length of caudal peduncle being 18.0–20.0% of standard length; depth of caudal peduncle being 7.8–8.4% of standard length; eye diameter 17.6–21.4% of head length; body depth being 60.7–70.2% of head length; caudal peduncle depth being 39.1–45.0% of caudal peduncle length; and body width at the base of caudal peduncle 59.0–68.0% of the body depth at the base of caudal peduncle. These characters allow a distinction from the similar species of T. nasobarbatula, T. nandanensis, and T. macromaculata.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus cavaticus</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Perciformes), a new epigonid fish from Palau,western Central Pacific

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus cavaticus, is described on the basis of eight specimens (59.2–69.5 in standard length: SL) collected from a cave at depth 20 m, southern fringing reef of Ngemelis Island, Palau. The species differs from other congeners by having minute teeth on both jaws, no opercular spine, pyloric caeca 7–8, gill rakers 25–27, total pored lateral line scales 48–50, dorsal fin rays VII-I, 10–11 (mode VII-I, 10), pectoral fin rays 16, vertebrae 10 + 15, body depth 21.4–25.0% SL, pectoral fin length 22.7–24.6% SL, eye diameter 44.4–47.5% head length: HL, upper jaw length 40.2–42.5% HL. Four paratypes (63.7–66.8 mm SL) of the new species are female with mature gonads, it is the smallest in size at sexual maturity among the congeners.     

Liopropoma dorsoluteum sp. nov., a new serranid fish from Okinawa, Japan

A new serranid fish,Liopropoma dorsoluteum sp. nov., is described on the basis of two specimens from Yaeyama Is., Okinawa, Japan. The new species is most similar toL. erythaeum Randall & Taylor, 1988, in having the following characters: Dorsal fin rays VIII, 12; anal fin rays III, 9; pored lateral line scales 52–53; anterior nostril situated midway between posterior nostril and anterior tip of snout; slightly forked caudal fin with both lobes rounded. It differs from the latter species in having a shorter pectoral fin (23.4–23.8% SL vs. 26.9–29.0% SL), greater preanus length (65.6–68.0% SL vs. 63.3–65.1% SL), fewer gill rakers (6+12 vs. 6–7+14–15) and yellow coloration on the back (vs. light red on head and body) in fresh specimens.     

A new species of armored sea robin, Paraheminodus kamoharai (Teleostei: Peristediidae), from the Philippines

A new peristediid, Paraheminodus kamoharai, is described from three specimens (106.9–114.8mm SL) collected from the Sulu Sea, the Philippines. The new species is easily distinguished from its congeners (Paraheminodus laticephalus and P. murrayi) in having 33 bony plates in the upper lateral row, the 24–25th to 30th bony plate each in the upper lateral row with a forwardly directed spine, 17–19 gill rakers on the lower limb, a long slender rostral projection (43.4–47.0% of head length), and short upper (41.1–42.3%) and lower jaws (36.5–37.2%).     

Redescription of a rare deep-sea batfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halieutopsis bathyoreos</Emphasis> (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae)

Halieutopsis bathyoreos Bradbury, 1988 (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae), previously described only on the basis of the holotype (62.6mm in standard length) from the central North Pacific, is redescribed on the basis of the holotype and six additional specimens (41.2–68.7mm in standard length) collected from the western South Pacific, off Papua New Guinea, and the western North Pacific, including the Japanese Archipelago. Halieutopsis bathyoreos is distinguished from its congeners by having a shelflike rostrum extending anteriorly well beyond the mouth, a dorsal escal lobe slightly bisected ventrally, an illicial cavity square in outline and completely visible in ventral view, and lacking tubercles on the ventral surface of the disk. The following characters are newly added to the diagnoses of this species: rostrum width 21–29% of head length, tubercles on the dorsal surface of the disk about half the diameter of those on the lateral margin, and 13–15 large lateral-line scales on the tail.     

A new sculpin, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcottus matuaensis</Emphasis>, from the central Kuril Archipelago (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae)

A new cottid species, Microcottus matuaensis, is described on the basis of 16 specimens (27.9–81.3mm SL) collected from tide pools of Matua Island, central Kuril Archipelago. This species is the second species of the genus Microcottus, and is distinguished from M. sellaris in having three pairs of distinct bony tubercles on the dorsal surface of occiput, a deeply concave interorbital space, and absence of the first pore of the supraorbital sensory canal.     

Intensive cannibalism and feeding on bregmacerotids in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Champsodon snyderi</Emphasis> (Champsodontidae): evidence for pelagic predation

Analysis of the stomach contents of 1002 specimens of Champsodon snyderi (Champsodontidae) (17.3–91.2mm SL) from Tosa Bay, southern Japan, showed that species to primarily feed on crustaceans and fishes (87.9% by frequency, 37.6% by weight for the former; 17.3% and 60.7% for the latter, respectively), although fishes occurred more often in stomachs of individuals larger than 50mm SL. Champsodon snyderi ingested large prey fishes (60.5–101.0% of predator SL), the maximum weight recorded for a single ingested specimen being 50.9% of the predator weight. Mesopelagic Bregmaceros nectabanus were by far the dominant prey fish, followed by C. snyderi (cannibalism), indicating that C. snyderi leaves the bottom to feed in the pelagic environment during the night.     

The occurrence of two species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macroramphosus</Emphasis> (Gasterosteiformes: Macroramphosidae) in Japan: morphological and ecological observations on larvae,juveniles, and adults

Earlier opinions that Macroramphosus is monotypic are refuted, with two species apparently occurring in Japan (tentatively identified as M. gracilis and M. scolopax). In postsettlement young and adults, the former is characterized by a dark slender body (vs. red-orange and deep) and short second dorsal fin spine with a smooth posterior margin (vs. long spine with a serrated margin). Food habits also differ between the two species, which are either plankton or benthos feeders. Two types of Macroramphosus larvae and juveniles occurring at the surface were recognized, one having a straight ventral body profile of the body (identified here as M. gracilis) and the other having a notch in the anal region. The dark body of postsettlement M. gracilis is considered to be a retention of the character suited to the neustonic distribution of the larval and juvenile stages, the species remaining to ca. 40mm in standard length (SL) in that habitat (vs. to ca. 12mm SL in M. scolopax).     

Ontogeny of the mandarinfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Siniperca chuatsi</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Sinipercidae) reared in aquarium

Early-stage morphologies of the mandarinfish Siniperca chuatsi are described on the basis of an ontogenetic series of reared specimens in an aquarium. Spherical eggs (diameter 1.70–1.82mm) with a single oil globule (0.40–0.48mm) were free-demersal and easily floated when agitated. Hatching occurred about 3 days after spawning at about 24°C. Newly hatched larvae (3.8–4.2mm in notochord length: NL) had many melanophores on the yolk sac. After reaching ca. 5.5mm NL (8–9+19–20=27–28 myomeres), larvae had almost completely absorbed the yolk, possessed a large mouth and sharp teeth, and were starting to prey on other fish larvae. Three large preopercle spines appeared at ca. 5.5mm NL, five spines by ca. 8.5mm NL, and eight by ca. 21mm in standard length (SL). The interopercle bore a single spine at ca. 8.5mm NL and two spines at ca. 13.5mm SL. A single spine appeared at the supracleithrum and another at the opercle at ca. 10mm SL. Dorsal fin spines and pelvic, anal, and caudal fins were completed at ca. 10mm SL. Dorsal fin rays and pectoral fins were completed at ca. 13.5mm SL. Four ontogenetic characters (free-demersal eggs, large jaws with large teeth, conspicuous head spination, and precocious completion of dorsal fin spines) are rare among freshwater percoids.