Range extension of two deep-sea peristediid fishes (Scorpaenoidei: Peristediidae) to the Arabian Sea, Northern Indian Ocean

Abstract

The present communication is based on the report of two peristediid fishes of the family Peristediidae from the southeastern Arabian Sea. Both specimens were collected as by catch from deep-sea shrimp trawlers operating at Sakthikulangara fishing harbour, Kollam, Kerala, India, at depths ranging from 200 to 420 m. The specimens were identified as Scalicus orientalis (Fowler, 1938) and Peristedion riversandersoni Alcock, 1894. Notably, the present study documents the first occurrence of these peristediid fishes in the Arabian Sea. This paper presents and discusses the detailed morphometric and meristic characteristics of these species, along with previous distributional records.