Abstract
Two new species of the genus Stalix (Perciformes: Opistognathidae), Stalix albonotata sp. nov. and Stalix yanoi sp. nov., are described, based on two specimens of each, from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Stalix albonotata differs from all congeners by the following combination of characters: longitudinal scale rows 45 or 46; 40–42 total gill rakers on first gill arch (in adults); first 2 mandibular pores well-spaced; lateral line terminating below second or third dorsal-fin soft ray base (dorsal-fin element 13 or 14); anteroventral margin of upper lip crenulate; body grayish-yellow, with fine brown and white vermiculations; dorsal-fin membrane grayish-yellow, with several irregular white blotches when fresh; anterior gular region unpigmented. Stalix yanoi differs from all congeners by the following combination of characters: longitudinal scale rows 45–48; 36–37 total gill rakers on first gill arch; two sensory pores present on posterior half of interorbital space; first 2 mandibular pores well-spaced; anteroventral surface of upper lip smooth; body uniformly whitish-green, covered with slight brown pigmentation; and dorsal-fin membrane whitish-green (without notable pattern or markings when fresh). A key to the Japanese species of Stalix is given.
https://ror.org/01qwv9523 
