A new species of the waspfish genus Ocosia (Teleostei: Tetrarogidae) from the Coral Sea, with a key to species in the genus

The new waspfish Ocosia dorsomaculata n. sp. (Tetrarogidae) is described, based on specimens from Australia (5) and New Caledonia (51). Although O. dorsomaculata and Ocosia apia Poss & Eschmeyer 1975 both share modally XVI, 8 dorsal-fin rays with a long second dorsal-fin spine, and presence of supraocular, lateral lacrimal, and suborbital spines, the former has modally 13 pectoral-fin rays (vs. usually 12 in the latter), a lower modal count of total gill rakers (10 vs. 16–18), greater upper-jaw length, greater third to sixth dorsal-fin spine lengths, the third dorsal-fin spine slightly shorter than the second dorsal-fin spine (vs. third spine markedly shorter than second spine), 1 or 2 prominent pale brown to dark brown blotches on the membrane between the fifth to eighth or sixth to ninth dorsal-fin spines (vs. 1 blotch on the membrane around the third dorsal-fin spine and 1 blotch on the membrane between the sixth to eighth dorsal-fin spines), and body with 11–15 longitudinal pale brown to dark brown bars along lateral line (vs. irregular brown specks). A key to the species of Ocosia is given.

On the Taxonomic Status of the Red Icefish Channichthys rugosus (Notothenioidei: Channichthyidae) from the Kerguelen Islands (South Ocean)

The presented work is the final part of the taxonomic revision of the Antarctic icefishes of the genus Channichthys Richardson, 1844 (Notothenioidei: Channichthyidae) from the Kerguelen Islands, the species composition of which was discussed until recently. Based on the morphological study of all available specimens from the ZIN and BMNH collections (including the holotype), a comprehensive redescription of the Red icefish Channichthys rugosus Regan, 1913 from the waters of the Kerguelen islands (South Ocean) was carried out, including external morphology, seismosensory system, gill apparatus, and axial skeleton. As a result, new diagnostic features of Red icefish were discovered and previously known ones were clarified, which made it possible to confirm the species validity. Comparison with other valid species icefishes was done. Channichthys rugosus differs from Ch. rhinoceratus Richardson, 1844 by a high anterior dorsal fin, the fin membrane of which reaches the apexes of its longest rays (does not reach in Ch. rhinoceratus), as well as a narrow and concave interorbital space (compared to the wider and flat one), by stronger granulation and a uniform reddish body color (dark spotted-marble in Ch. rhinoceratus). Channichthys rugosus differs from Ch. velifer Meissner, 1972 by the number of rays in the first dorsal fin (7–9 versus 9–12) and pectoral fin (18–20 versus 20–21), the presence of bone plaques in the proximal part of the medial lateral line (absent in Ch. velifer), and monochromatic reddish body coloration (spotted in Ch. velifer). Channichthys rugosus differs from Ch. panticapaei Shandikov, 1995 by the presence of only 1 row of gill rakers on the first gill arch (2 rows in Ch. panticapaei) and by light coloration (brownish-black in Ch. panticapaei).

Description of a new deep-water species of Heteroclinus (Pisces: Teleostei: Clinidae), from southern Australia

Heteroclinus argyrospilos, n. sp. is described as a new species from specimens sampled by sled and dredge in 55–100 m off South Australia and Western Australia. The species has a strongly compressed body and spatulate orbital tentacle similar to some shallow water species, particularly those of the Heteroclinus heptaeolus complex, which is characterized by having three segmented dorsal-fin rays, with the last two rays widely separate from the first ray. It is distinct from other Australian clinids in having two segmented dorsal-fin rays, well separated from the last dorsal-fin spine and a reduced lateral line on the body. It is known from a greater depth than other members of the genus.

A new sisorid catfish of the genus Pseudolaguvia (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from Nagaland, north-eastern India

Pseudolaguvia vespa, new species, is described from the Tsücha River, Mokokchung district, Nagaland, India. The new species can be distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: length of dorsal-fin spine 12.3–16.8% SL, a smooth anterior edge of the dorsal-fin spine, caudal peduncle depth 9.0–10.5% SL, body depth at anus 15.6–17.7% SL, caudal fin length 20.7–24.5% SL, pectoral fin length 20.1–24.1% SL, interorbital distance 22.7–28.1% SL, thoracic adhesive apparatus extending to midway between base of last pectoral-fin ray and pelvic-fin origin, and live specimens with two irregular, chrome-yellow bands on the body.

A new species of stone loach of the genus Mustura (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Chindwin River drainage, Manipur, north-eastern India

Mustura taretensis, a new nemacheilid loach, is described from the Taret River, a tributary of the Yu River, Chindwin River drainage, Manipur, India. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by a unique combination of the following characters: body with 12–13 irregular dark-brown blotches or bars on flank, alternating with 11–16 irregular dark-brown saddles on the back; dorsum of head with a distinctly visible rhomboid dark-brown mark encircling a pale oval area on the nape; dorsal fin with 9½­ or 10½ branched rays; lateral line complete; a well-developed free posterior chamber of air bladder, the halves of air bladder capsules connected by a manubrium; poorly developed processus dentiformis; suborbital flap present in males; and body depth 12.8–16.0 % SL. The generic status of Mustura chindwinensis, M. dikrongensis, M. tigrina and M. tuivaiensis are also discussed in the paper.

A new record of a rare labrid, Suezichthys notatus (Actinopterygii: Labridae), from Taiwan, with comparison to related species from Taiwan

Three specimens of a rare labrid, Suezichthys notatus (Kamohara, 1958) were recently collected from local markets, which were captured from deep-water off northern and southwestern Taiwan, and represent a new record for Taiwan. Suezichthys notatus can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: scale rows above lateral line 2½; low scaly sheath present at base of dorsal and anal fins; dorsal-fin element IX, 11; anal-fin elements III, 10; lateral line scales 25‒26, each with simple, unbranched laterosensory canal tube; cheek scale rows behind and below eye 2 and 2‒3 respectively; a group of prominent dark blotches extending from the interorbital region dorsoposteriorly; body depth at dorsal-fin origin 3.7‒3.9 in standard length; short pelvic fin without filamentous extension, 2.2‒2.5 in head length. Suezichthys resembles the labrid genus Pseudolabrus, comparison of Taiwanese species of Suezichthys with those of Pseudolabrus are given.

Assessing two hundred years of taxonomic doubt with the rediscovery and taxonomic establishment of the Amazonian armored catfish Hypostomus pantherinus Kner 1854 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

Hypostomus pantherinus was described by Kner in 1854 based on a single young specimen collected by Natterer with a type-locality just asserted as Guaporé. No robust scientific paper focusing the distribution, taxonomy and ecology of this species has been published since the description. Here, based on the analysis of the holotype, recently collected material, and on an extensive searching on ichthyological fish collections, H. pantherinus Kner 1854 is redescribed and its geographical distribution is established to be in the rio Iténez-Guaporé and the mouth of its Bolivian and Brazilian tributaries. Hypostomus pantherinus is distinguished from congeners mainly by villiform teeth, conspicuous black, sharp and widely spaced spots on head, and dark blotches on trunk and fins, keels along lateral series of plates, sharp crests on supraoccipital and on compound pterotic-supracleithrum, less than 25 spots on compound pterotic-supracleithrum, one blotch per interradial membrane along each row on dorsal fin, and by usually attaining about 160 mm SL in size.

Morphology characteristics and length weight relationship of sucker barb fish (Barbichtyhys laevis Valenciennes 1842)

Sucker barb fish is one of the potential of fish resources in Tasik river. This study aimed to determine the morphometric and meristic characteristics of the growth of sucker barb fish in the Tasik River. The method used in this study is a survey method using the fishing net and gillnet with mesh size 1,5 inches. The nets are placed in the afternoon, then lifted in the morning. This is done 3 times with a span of 2 weeks in the three research stations. The number of samples collected were 135 fish. The morphometric characteristics of sucker barb fish are bodyweight (BT) ranging from 9-85 g, total length (PT) ranging from 100-230 mm, standard length (PS) ranging from 75-176 mm, head length (PK) of 20-42 mm, snout length (PM) of 30 mm, the height of dorsal fin (TSP) of 40 mm, length of the base of dorsal fin (PPSP) of 15-30 mm, eye diameter (DM) of 10 mm, caudal peduncle (TBE) of 8-22 mm, body height (TB) of 17-40 mm, pectoral fin length (PSD) of 30 mm and pelvic fin length (PSP) of 25 mm. Meristic characteristics are the characteristics of counting the scales and fins of sucker barb fish. The number of scales in the lateral lines (LL) is 35-38, the body coiled scales (SMB) are 6, the scales around the pectoral fin (PF) P 10-14, anal fin (AF) A 8 and caudal fin (CF) C 18. The growth pattern of sucker barb fish in the Tasik River is allometric negative

A New Inland Record of the Bull Shark Carcharhinus leucas (Müller & Henle 1839) from Peninsular Malaysia

A single specimen of a bull shark Carcharhinus leucas (Müller & Henle 1839) with c. 102 cm of total length was landed and photographed on 25 March 2019 in Sungai Mawai Lama, about 25 km inland, Kota Tinggi District, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia. This rare finding represents only the second record of C. leucas in inland Peninsular Malaysia. This shark was identified as C. leucas by the snout much shorter than the width of mouth and bluntly rounded, first dorsal fin triangular, rearward sloping, originating over or slightly behind pectoral insertion, second dorsal fin much smaller than the first dorsal fin (< 3.1:1), and lack of an interdorsal ridge. The coloration of fresh specimen: greyish back and white belly, the dark coloration on the tip of the caudal fins and second dorsal fin. This species is currently listed as a vulnerable species based on the IUCN Red List Status. Further study and monitoring are needed to assess the possibility of the importance of Sungai Mawai Lama as critical habitat of C. leucas.

Garra hormuzensis, a new species from the upper Kol River drainage in the Persian Gulf basin (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Garra hormuzensis, new species, is described from the Kol River drainage. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Iranian part of the Persian Gulf basin by having 7½ branched dorsal-fin rays, usually 9+8 branched caudal-fin rays, the breast, belly and back in front of the dorsal-fin origin covered by scales, and a free lateral and posterior margins of the gular disc. It is further characterised by having a minimum K2P distance of 1.16% to G. mondica in the mtDNA COI barcode region.