First report of dwarf monocle bream Parascolopsis capitinis (Teleostei: Nemipteridae) from South-west coast of India

Abstract

The dwarf monocle breams of Genus Parascolopsis are bottom living small fishes generally seen in the outer shelf and continental slope waters and are represented worldwide by 12 species. Morphometric measurements, meristic counts and identification of the specimens follows standard methods. Parascolopsis capitinis Russell (J South Asian Nat Hist. 2:63–6, 1996), is reported for the first time from Indian waters based on 22 specimens (192–232 mm total length) collected from Cochin fisheries harbour in the South-west coast of India on 5 November 2012. This is the first report of the fish from Indian waters and adds to the five species already reported from this genus from Indian waters. Full description of the species is provided.