Abstract
A new species of Epigonus (family Apogonidae), E.ctenolepis, is described from two specimens caught from Owase, Japan.This species is distinguishable from other species of the genus in having a compressed body, opercle with a pungent, fully-ossified spine, no eighth rib below tenth vertebra, 10 dorsal soft rays, ctenoid scales on lateral line, 24 25 total gill rakers, etc. E. atherinoides (Gilbert) is also described from nine specimens caught on the top of the Komahashi Seamount (ca.28°06'N, 134°39'E) in the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, northwest Pacific. E.atherinoides is distinguished from other species of Epigonus in having a wider body (body width greater than or equal to body depth at insertion of pectoral fin), opercle with a fully-ossified spine, no eighth ribbelow tenth vertebra, 10 dorsal soft rays, cycloid scales on lateral line, etc.A key to the four Japanese species of Epigonus is presented.
