New records of Champsodon nudivittis and Champsodon snyderi (Fam: Champsodontidae) from the Indian EEZ

Abstract

Champsodon genus belonging to the family Champsodontidae are constituted by bottom dwelling fishes at great depths (400 – 1000 m) in the oceans and are commonly referred to as gapers. These are characterized by a large head and mouth, an elongate compressed body densely covered with small denticulate scales, pre-opercle with a prominent postero-ventral spine bearing small serrations on the ventral side, a short spinous dorsal fin, small pectoral fins, unusually large pelvic fins and a complex acoustic-lateralis system that consists of two horizontal lateral lines interconnected by vertical rows of sensory papillae.