Chelidoperca maculicauda, a new species of perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Arabian Sea

Abstract

A new species of serranid fish, Chelidoperca maculicauda n. sp. is described based on three specimens, (123-129 mm SL), recently collected from the Arabian Sea, off Quilon, Kerala, India. The combination of caudal fin shape and a unique color pattern of five red bars on a pinkish body and pale yellow fins with a bright red margin on the anal fin, a small grey spot distally on the dorsal half and bluish white spots on ventral half of the caudal fin, distinguishes the new species from other congeners. Other distinguishing characters include: fourth dorsal spine longest 2.8 (3) in head length; body depth 23.3 (22.8-24.5) % SL (standard length), 4.3 (4.1-4.4) in SL; head length 40.3 (42.3-42.6) % SL; orbital length 9.3 (8.9-9.1) in SL; 2.5-3 scales above lateral line to dorsal origin; serrae on margin of preopercle 40-46. Lateral-line scales 42; dorsal fin continuous, with ninth dorsal spine shorter than tenth spine; longest dorsal soft ray (7th or 8th) 2.4 (2.3-2.4) in head length.