First record of the lethrinid fish, Gymnocranius superciliosus from Japan

Abstract

Six specimens (189–306 mm in standard length) of the lethrinid fish, Gymnocranius superciliosus Brosa, Béarez, Paijo and Chen, 2013, recently described from New Caledonia, were collected from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, being the first record of the species from the Northern Hemisphere. Gymnocranius superciliosus is distinguishable from its congeners by the following combination of characters: elongated body (body depth at 1st dorsal-fin spine origin 2.53–3.06 in standard length); villiform to conical teeth on sides of both jaws; forked caudal fin with rounded posterior margins on both lobes, tips slightly pointed; six rows of scales between 5th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; no transverse dark brown bar laterally on head or body, except between eye and interopercular flange; blue speckles dispersed on snout and cheek; body scales each with a basal dark brown dot, forming longitudinal rows; reddish color on margins of dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins.