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Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Three new records of deep-water coral reef fishes from southern
TaiwanNok-Wai Lai
Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, No.2, Bei-ning Road, Keelung 202, Taiwan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: nokwaiwai@gmail.com

Abstract
Three deep-water coral reef fishes Odontanthias chrysostictus, Odontanthias
randalli (Serranidae) and Chromis tingting (Pomacentridae) are reported from southern
Taiwan for the first time. Odontanthias chrysostictus and Odontanthias randallipreviously described from Indonesia are now extending northward and Chromis tingting
previously described from Japan is now extending southward, respectively, to southern
Taiwan. These results bring the total number of Odontanthias to 6 species and Chromis
to 29 species in Taiwan. Fresh color photographs and detailed descriptions of these
species are provided herein.
Key words: Perciformes, Pomacanthidae, Serranidae, Taiwan, New record

Introduction(Valenciennes,

1828)

(Fig.

1A),

genus

Odontanthias katayamai (Randall, Maugé

Odontanthias (Bleeker) are usually found& Plessis, 1979) (Fig. 1B), Odontanthias

over hard substratum at depth about 100‒

rhodopeplus (Günther, 1872) (Fig. 2A),

400 m (Randell, 2006) and mainly inhabit

and Odontanthias unimaculatus (Tanaka,

deep-sea coral reef. Randall & Heemstra

1917) (Fig. 2B), previously.

Teleost(2006)

fishesreviewed

of

the

the

genus

with

descriptions of two new species and a

Odontanthias chrysostictus was originallyclosely

described as Anthias chrysostictus from

relatedgenus

Meganthias.

Currently, genus comprises 15 Indo-

two specimens obtained from Northern

Pacific species and one Atlantic species

Sulawesi, Indonesia (Günther, 1872) for(Carvalho-Filho et al., 2016) and 4 have

which only a simulation drawing existed.

been recorded in Taiwan (Shao, 2020)
including

Odontanthias

Although Kamohara (1934), Katayamai

borbonius(1960), Lee (1990) and others had reported
85

Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Fig. 1. A. Odontanthias borbonius (Valenciennes, 1828), NMMB-P34706, 116.7 mm
SL. B. Odontanthias katayamai (Randall, Maugé & Plessis 1979), NMMBP34707, 137.8 mm SL. Fresh coloration.
Holanthias chrysostictus from southernlater found to instead be Odontanthias

Japan and Taiwan, these specimens werekatayamai as Holanthias chrysostictus by86Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Fig. 2. A. Odontanthias rhodopeplus (Günther, 1872), NMMB-P34708, 173.5 mm SL.
B. Odontanthias unimaculatus (Tanaka, 1917), NMMB-P34709, 138.1 mm SL.
Fresh coloration.
Randall & Heemstra (2006). Anotherand had not been found elsewhere until aswallowtail O. randalli was originally

recent landing off of Kaohsiung, Taiwan,

described based on 11 specimens collected

in which not only this species, but also O.

from Lombok, Indonesia (White, 2011)

chrysostictus,

87

were

collected

andPlatax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

conclusively

identified(described

descriptions for each of these three newly

herein).The damselfish genus Chromis

recorded deep-water fish of Taiwan.

Cuvier is the largest damselfish genus inMaterials and methods

the family Pomacentridae, with 104
described species (Arango et al. 2019), at

Methods for taking measurements

least ten of which are found only on

and counts, as well as terminology, mainly

mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs),

followed Hubbs et al. (1964) in generalbelow 60 m (Allen & Erdmann, 2012)and more specifically Randall (2006) for O.

and 29 of them were recorded in Taiwan

chrysostictus, White (2011) for O. randalli,(Shao, 2020). Members of Chromis are

and Tea et al. (2019) for C. tingting. Scales

circum-global planktivores that inhabit aabove and below the lateral line were

wide range of depths (from shallow coral

counts anteriorly to the origin of the dorsal

outcrops to deep reefs below the photic

fin and posteriorly to the origin of the analzone). More extensive exploration of reef

fin, respectively. Gill raker counts were

ecosystems in recent years has led tomade on the first gill arch of the right side;

several new discoveries, particularly in

the gill raker at angle is included in thespecies inhabiting MCEs at 40‒150 m (Tealower-limb count. Measurements were

et al. 2019) both C. mirationis Tanaka,taken with calipers and recorded to the1917

nearest 0.1 mm.

(Fig.

3A)

and

C.

okamurai

Yamakawa & Randall, 1989 (Fig. 3B)

Two specimens of O. chrysostictus

which have been found in MCE of Taiwan

were collected from off Kaohsiung,(Shao, 2020). Chromis tingting was

Taiwan, the first by Mr. Jia-Sian Yan atrecently described from Japan based on

depth 165‒180 m at “Shitientsai”; O.

four specimens collected from Sagami Bay,randalli, C. tingting and another specimen

and a putative Korean record exists, asof O. chrysostictus were hooked by anglers

well (Tea et al., 2019). A specimen of C.

from Santientsai, off Kaohsiung (Fig. 4)

tingting was recently collected alongside

and purchased at Cianjhen fish market,

the other two species mentioned above

Kaohsiung

representing the first record outside thespecimens were fixed in 4% formalin

type

deep-water

before transfer to 75% alcohol. Specimens

swallowtails and damselfish are not often

have been deposited at the Piscescollected

otherCollection of the National Museum of

approaches), few museum specimens exist.

Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung

Therefore, this study has provided detailed(NMMB-P).

locality.
inBecausetrawls

(or

by

88

southern

Taiwan.

Fresh

Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Fig. 3. A. Fresh photo of Chromis mirationis from Taiwan, NMMB-P34682, 114 mm
SL; B. fresh photo of Chromis okamurai from Taiwan, NMMB-P34710, 102.4mm SL.
Results
1872)
金帶粗斑花鱸

Family Serranidae
Odontanthias

chrysostictus

Figs. 5A, B, Tab. 1(Günther,89Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Fig. 4. Map of collecting site off Kaohsiung (22°42'55.1"N, 119°55'59.9"E).
rays 16‒17; pelvic-fin elements I, 5;
Anthias chrysostictus Günther, 1872: 655,

principal

caudal-fin

rays

10+9;

pl. 56 (type locality: Manado, Sulawesi,

upper/lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 5/5;

Indonesia).

lateral-line scales 36 (NMMB-P34651)

Odontanthias
1872):

chrysostictus(Günther,and 39 (NMMB-P34671); scale rows&

Heemstra,between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin 8;

2011:22.

Anderson,full size scales above the highest point ofRandall

2006:11.White,
2018:22.

lateral line to base of middle dorsal-fin
spines (7th) 3; scale rows between lateral

Materials examined. NMMB-P34671,

line and anal-fin origin 20 (NMMB-

116.1 mm, female, Cianjhen fish market,

P34651)

Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, 20 Oct. 2020.

circumpeduncular scales 19‒22; gill rakers

NMMB-P34651, 112.3 mm, male, off11‒12+26‒28=37‒40;vertebrae 10+15=25.

Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, 26 Jul. 2020,

Body

coll. Jia-Sian Yan.

and

21

(NMMB-P34671);

moderately

deep

and

compressed, its depth 2.2 in SL and width

Description. Dorsal-fin elements X,

2.7‒2.9 in body depth; head length 2.8‒2.9

16; anal-fin elements III, 7; pectoral-fin

in SL; eye relatively large, orbit diameter
90Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Fig. 5. Fresh coloration of O. chrysostictus. A. NMMB-P34671, 116.1 mm SL,
female; B. NMMB-P34651, 112.3 mm SL, male, photo by C. N. Tang.

91Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Tab. 1. Morphometric measurements, expressed as percentage of standard length (SL)and head length (HL), of two Odontanthias species.
O. chrysostictus

O. chrysostictus

O. randalli

NMMB-34651

NMMB-34671

NMMB-34122

112.3 %SL %HL

116.1 %SL %HL

109.6 %SL %HL

Body depth

51.3 45.7 127.0

52.3

45.0 129.1

50.3

45.9

120.3

Body width

17.4 15.5 43.1

19.2

16.5

47.4

20.5

18.7

49.0

Head length40.4 36.0 100.0

40.5

34.9 100.0

41.8

38.1

100.0

Snouth length

7.6

6.8 14.8

8.2

7.1

15.7

8.9

8.1

21.3

Orbit diameter

13.2 11.8 25.7

12.9

11.1

24.7

13.3

12.1

31.8

Interorbital width

10.1

9.0 19.7

11.0

9.5

21.0

12.1

11.0

28.9

Upper-jaw length17.1 15.2 33.3

18.4

15.8

35.2

20.7

18.9

49.5

Caudal-peduncular depth

14.7 13.1 28.7

15.7

13.5

30.0

24.8

22.6

59.3

Caudal-peduncular length19.3 17.2 37.6

18.6

16.0

35.6

19.8

18.1

47.4

Predorsal length37.3 33.2 72.7

36.5

31.4

69.8

16.5

15.1

39.5

Preanal length75.9 67.6 148.0

72.4

62.4 138.4

72.9

66.5

174.4

Prepelvic length41.6 37.0 81.1

43.9

37.8

83.9

42.5

38.8

101.7

Dorsal-fin base73.5 65.4 143.3

77.9

67.1 148.9

73.7

67.2

176.3

First dorsal-fin spine

6.5

5.8 12.7

6.4

5.5

12.2

7.0

6.4

16.7

Second dorsal-fin spine

9.6

8.5 18.7

11.6

10.0

22.2

11.9

10.9

28.5

Third dorsal-fin spine

9.9

8.8 19.3

15.8

13.6

30.2

26.0

23.7

62.2

Fourth dorsal-fin spine

15.5 13.8 30.2

17.1

14.7

32.7

17.2

15.7

41.1

Tenth dorsal-fin spine

9.9

8.8 19.3

15.1

13.0

28.9

14.2

13.0

34.0

First dorsal-fin ray

19.0 16.9 37.0

20.9

18.0

40.0

20.6

18.8

49.3

Longest dorsal-fin ray

60.0 53.4 117.0

62.4

53.7 119.3

56.7

51.7

135.6

Last dorsal-fin ray

7.5

6.7 14.6

9.6

8.3

18.4

9.5

8.7

22.7

Anal-fin base21.1 18.8 41.1

24.2

20.8

46.3

22.1

20.2

52.9

First anal-fin spine

7.8

6.9 15.2

8.8

7.6

16.8

8.8

8.0

21.1

Second anal-fin spine

15.2 13.5 29.6

17.8

15.3

34.0

17.5

16.0

41.9

Third anal-fin spine

17.8 15.9 34.7

18.1

15.6

34.6

26.9

24.5

64.4

Longest anal-fin ray

38.2 34.0 74.5

41.3

35.6

79.0

35.3

32.2

84.4

Caudal-fin length57.7 51.4 112.5

72.7

62.6 139.0

73.5

67.1

175.8

Caudal-fin concavity

36.3 32.3 70.8

51.7

44.5

98.9

51.1

46.6

122.2

Pectoral-fin length

39.0 34.7 76.0

44.3

38.2

84.7

46.9

42.8

112.2

Pelvic-spine length47.3 42.1 92.2

40.8

35.1

78.0

20.6

18.8

49.3

Standard length (mm)
% SL

92

Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

3.1 in SL.
Coloration. When fresh (Figs. 5A, B),
body orange pink, light pink ventrally,
with a yellow spot on each scale, except
those on the chest and abdomen, forming
regular oblique rows; a broad yellow stripe
from tip of snout, passing below lower
margin of eye to base of pectoral fin where
it join a large reddish spot; jaws and chinpinkish; dorsal fin bright yellow with pink
pigmentation on each spine, some pinkspots on fin ray part; anal fin pale to lightpink, with yellow pigment; caudal fin
bright yellow, upper and lower margins
lavender-pink; pelvic fin pale to light pink.
When preserved: body and fin pale, withyellow spots on body, head pale with abroad yellow stripe from tip of snout,
passing below lower margin of eye to baseof pectoral fin.

2.7‒3.1 in HL; snout blunt and short, its
length 4.9‒5.3 in HL; interorbital spaceconvex, least bony width 3.7‒4.0 in HL;
caudal-peduncular depth 2.6‒2.7 andlength 2.6‒2.7 in HL.
Dorsal fin with a long base, its length 1.5
in SL, base of spinous part slightly longer
than the soft-ray part; origin of dorsal fin
at a vertical through middle of gill cover,well in front of pectoral and pelvic fins.
First dorsal-fin spine slightly longer thanhalf length of second spine; fourth dorsalfin spine longest, its length 2.4‒2.6 in HL;
third dorsal-fin ray filamentous and much
longer than others, its length 1.9 in SL.
Pectoral fin moderately long, pointed,
ninth ray longest anal fin; length ofpectoral fin 2.6‒2.9 in SL; pectoral-finbase oblique, its upper end origin of
below base of third dorsal-fin origin below
middle of pectoral-fin base; second pelvicfin ray filamentous, longest and pointed,
its length 2.4‒2.8 in SL. Anal fin small
with a short base, its base 1.7‒1.9 in HL,much shorter than that of soft-ray spine.
Pelvic fin rhombus and pointed, its part of
dorsal fin; origin of anal fin below base of
first dorsal-fin ray; first anal-fin spine
about half length of second; second analfin spine strongest and longest, its length
2.3‒2.7 in HL; third spine longest, its
length 1.6 in HL; second anal-fin ray
longest, its length 2.2‒2.3 in HL. Caudal
fin lunate, lobes filamentous, its length
1.6‒1.9 in SL; caudal-fin concavity 2.2‒

Distribution. Previously only known
from the type locality off Sulawesi,
Indonesia; newly collected from off
Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan.
Remarks. These specimens represent
the first record in Taiwan, resulting in a
dramatic increase in the range across theSouth China Sea. Even in the aquarium
trade, this species was not noted outside ofIndonesia until 2013 according to reports
made on the aquarium trade website
www.reefbuilders.com; until then, it could
only be seen in the Bali-Aquarich
aquarium (as of 2011).
Although
93

Kamohara(1934),

Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

Katayamai (1960) and Lee (1990) mention

Material

examined.

NMMB-

that species distributed from Indonesia toP34122, 109.7 mm SL, Cianjhen fish

Taiwan and Japan, their specimens weremarket, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, 28

misidentifications

Jun. 2020.

ofO.

katayamai(Randall & Heemstra, 2006).
Odontanthias

chrysostictus

Description. Dorsal-fin elements X,
was16; anal-fin elements III, 7; pectoral-rays

highly similar to O. katayamai (Fig. 1B) in

16; pelvic-fin elements I, 5; principal

having pinkish bodies with yellow spots.

caudal-fin

However, caudal fin of O. chrysostictus isprocurrent caudal-fin rays 6/5; lateral-line

mainly yellow, fin lobes tapering and notscales 35; scale rows between lateral line

broad, whereas that of O. katayamai isorigin 6; 1.9‒2.3); length of caudal fin 1.6‒

mainly red, fin lobes broad and untapered.

1.9 in SL and dorsal-fin full size scales

The Taiwanese specimen also presents.

above the highest point of lateral line to

rays

9+8;

upper/lower

These specimens were having somebase of middle dorsal-fin spines (5th) 1;

slightly differences compared to thescale rows between lateral line and anal-

original description of Günther (1872),

fin origin 16; circumpeduncular scales 18;

original description data were mentioned

gill rakers 12+26=38; vertebrae 10+15=25.

in brackets below: villiform teeth on

Body moderately deep and compressed, its

vomer in an asymmetry cruciform-liked

depth 2.2 in SL and width 2.5 in body

patch (vs. kite-shape); lateral line scales 36

depth; head length 2.6 in SL; eye relatively

and 39 (vs. ca. 42). Some other variations

large, orbit diameter 3.1 in HL; snout blunt

were also observed in these specimens

and short, its length 4.7 in HL; interorbital

compared to the description in Randall &region convex, least bony width 3.5 in HL;

Heemstra (2006), original description data

caudal-peduncular depth 1.7 and length

were mentioned in brackets below: lateral-

2.1 in HL. Dorsal fin with a long base, its

line scales 39 (vs. 36‒38); gill rakers

length 1.5 in SL, base of spinous part

11+26 (vs. 12+27‒28); orbit diameter 3.0‒

slightly longer than the soft-ray part;3.1 in HL (vs. 2.9); length of fourth dorsal-

origin of dorsal fin at a vertical throughfin spine 2.4‒2.6 in HL (vs. 1.9‒2.3);

middle of gill cover, well in front oflength of third anal-fine spine 2.6 in HL (vs.

pectoral and pelvic fins. First dorsal-fin(vs. 2.1‒2.3).

spine slightly longer than half length of

Odontanthias randalli White, 2011second spine; third dorsal-fin spine longest,

蘭道氏牙花鮨

its length 1.6 in HL; third dorsal-fin ray

Figs. 6A, B, Tab. 1

filamentous and much longer than others,
94

Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
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Fig. 6. Odontanthias randalli White, 2011, NMMB-P34122, 109.7 mm SL. A. Freshcoloration. B. Preserved coloration.

95

Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

its length 1.9 in SL. Pectoral fins

yellow with pinkish on base; anal fin

moderately long, pointed, ninth ray longest

pinkish with yellow pigments on spinous

and reaching vertical through origin ofpart joining the longest anal-fin ray,anal fin; length of pectoral fin 2.3 in SL;

anterior edges of those yellow pigment

pectoral-fin base oblique, its upper end

with pink margin; caudal-fin mostly pink

below base of fourth dorsal-fin spine.

with yellow pigments on base andPelvic fin rhombus and pointed, its origin

extending along the center of filamentous

below pectoral-fin base origin; second

lobes, pigments surrounded with pink

pelvic-fin ray filamentous, longest andframe; pectoral fin pinkish, with yellow

pointed, its length 2.3 in HL. Anal fin

pigment on base of sixth and seventh rays;

small with a short base, its base 1.9 in HL,pelvic fin bright pink, tip of longest ray

much shorter than that of soft-ray part ofreddish. When preserved (Fig. 6B): bodydorsal fin; first anal-fin spine about half

and fin pale, with yellow spots on body;length of second; second anal-fin spine

head pale with a bright yellow V-shaped

strong, its length 2.4 in HL; third spine

marking originating from snout tip withlongest, its length 1.6 in HL; second anal-

the lower stripe running posteroventrally

fin ray longest, its length 1.2 in HL. Caudal

below the eye (terminating at the front

fin lunate, lobes filamentous, its length 1.5

edge of the preopercle); the upper stripe

in SL; caudal concavity-fin 2.1 in SL.

running

Coloration. When fresh (Fig. 6A),

posterodorsally

throughthemiddle of the eye to the edge of the opercle

body pinkish, light pink ventrally; mostabove the primary opercular spine.

scales on body bearing a brown-edged

Distribution. Previously only known

bright yellow spot; two bright yellow

from East Lombok in the Nusa Tenggara

stripes originating from tip of snout, one

region of Indonesia; newly collected fromruns from tip of snout, through lower

off Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan.

margin of eye and ends at an angle at the

Remarks. This specimen represents

preopercle, another runs from the posterior

the first record in Taiwan and themargin of the eye to the primary spine of

distribution range of O. randalli now

the opercle; interorbital space bright

extends across the South China Sea. Its sex

yellow; with few small yellow patches on

could not be determined due to poor

gill cover and pectoral fin base; dorsal fin

preservation condition. It is worth noting

mostly yellow, with pink membranes

that specimens of O. rhodopeplus (Fig. 2A)

between fourth dorsal-fin spine and firstand O. katayamai (Fig. 1B) were collecteddorsal-fin ray; dorsal-fin ray mostly

at the same time. Most swallowtails are
96Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

colorful predominantly pink and bright3b. Third dorsal-fin spine longer than otheryellow, making them popular in thespines (except for females of O.

aquarium trade (juvenile O. borbonius

borbonius) …………………………. 4

being among the most common), they

4a Body depth 1.9–2.3 in SL; dorsal-fin

command a high price, though, sincerays 16–18 (modally 17); body pink tosupply cannot often meet demand given

red with 9–11 distinct dark brown or

the difficulty of safely bringing the fish up

yellow blotches on lateral side offrom the great depths at which they reside.

body. ………………… O. borbonius

Some variation was observed in our

4b Body depth 2.2–2.5 in SL; dorsal-fin

specimencomparedtotheoriginal

rays 16–17 (modally 16); color not as

description in White (2011), original

above…………………….. O. randalli

description data were mentioned in

5a Caudal fin mainly yellow; caudal finbrackets below: scale row between thelobes tapering; lateral line scales 36–

lateral line and dorsal-fin origin 6 (vs. 5);

38……….……………O. chrysostictus

vertebrae 10+15 (vs. 10+16); length of

5b Caudal fin mainly red; caudal fin lobes

third dorsal-fin spine, 1.6 in HL (vs. 1.4).

broad and blunt; lateral line scales 38–
42..…… ………………O. katayamai

Key to the genus Odontanthias in
Taiwan (follow Randall & Heemstra,

Family Pomacentridae

2006)

Chromis tingting Tea, Gill & Senou, 2019月石光鰓雀鯛Fig. 7; Tab. 2

1a. Dorsal-fin rays 12–14; body depth
2.4–2.9 in SL………………………2

Material

examined.

NMMB-

P34142, 101.3 mm SL, Cianjhen fish

1b. Dorsal-fin rays 15–19; body depth
1.9–2.4 in SL…………………….…3

market, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, 28
Jun. 2020.

2a. Dorsal-fin rays 12 or 13; lateral-line

Description.

scales 30–33; base of caudal fin with a

Dorsal-fin

elements

with

XIV, 14; anal-fin elements II, 12; pectoral-

white…………………. O. rhodopeplus

fin rays 20, upmost and lowest two

2b. Dorsal-fin rays 14; lateral-line scales

unbranched; pelvic-fin elements I, 5;

35–44; no black bar at base of caudal

principal caudal-fin rays 8+7; upper/lower

fin…………………… O. unimaculatus

procurrent caudal-fin rays 4/4; lateral-line

black

bar,

often

borderedscales 18; scale rows between lateral line

3a. Third dorsal-fin spine not longer
than other spines…………………… 5

and dorsal-fin origin 3; full size scales
97Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
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Fig. 7. Chromis tingting Tea, Gill & Senou, 2019, NMMB-P34142, 101.3 mm SL; A.
Fresh coloration; B. Preserved coloration; C. Black spot on the base ofpectoral-fin axil.

98Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
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Tab. 2. Measurements of Chromis tingting collected from Taiwan.

SL (mm)% SL
Greatest body depth
Body depth at anal origin
Body width
Head length
Snout length
Orbit diameter
Bony interorbital width
Caudal-peduncular depth
Caudal-peduncular length
Upper jaw length
Predorsal length
Dorsal-fin baseSoft dorsal-fin base
1st dorsal-fin spine
2nd dorsal-fin spine
3rd dorsal-fin spine
4th dorsal-fin spine
5th dorsal-fin spine
6th dorsal-fin spine
14th dorsal-fin spine
1st dorsal-fin ray
Longest dorsal-fin ray
Preanal length
Anal-fin base
1st anal-fin spine
2nd anal-fin spine
1st anal-fin ray
Longest anal-fin ray
Caudal-fin length
Caudal-fin concavity
Longest pectoral ray
Prepelvic length
Pelvic-spine length
1st pelvic-fin soft ray

C. tingting
NMMB-34142
101.3
%SL

%HL

49.0
44.6
19.0
34.8
9.0
13.3
11.9
13.8
10.6
10.0
40.1
64.5
16.1
8.6
14.8
17.1
18.3
18.7
18.6
12.7
13.9
18.5
73.2
23.3
7.3
19.5
18.4
18.6
27.9
10.8
34.3
48.2
16.9
30.3

140.8
128.2
54.6
183.2
47.4
70.0
62.6
72.6
55.8
52.6
211.1
339.5
84.7
45.3
77.9
90.0
96.3
98.4
97.9
66.8
73.2
97.4
385.3
122.6
38.4
102.6
96.8
97.9
146.8
56.8
180.5
253.7
88.9
159.5

48.4
44.0
18.8
34.4
8.9
13.1
11.7
13.6
10.5
9.9
39.6
63.7
15.9
8.5
14.6
16.9
18.1
18.5
18.4
12.5
13.7
18.3
72.3
23.0
7.2
19.2
18.2
18.4
27.5
10.7
33.9
47.6
16.7
29.9

above the highest point of lateral line tocompressed, its depth 2.1 in SL and widthbase of middle dorsal-fin spines 1; scale

2.6 in body depth; head length 2.9 in SL;

rows between lateral line and anal-fin

shorter than orbit diameter, its length 3.9 inorigin 10; circumpeduncular scales 14; gill

HL; interorbital width 2.9 in HL; mouth

rakers 7+21=28; pseudobranches 22;

small and oblique, upper jaw forming anvertebrae 24. Body moderately deep andangle of about 45° to horizontal axis of99

Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

head and body; upper jaw length 3.5 in HL;margins. When preserved (Fig. 7B): headcaudal-peduncular depth 2.5 and lengthand body light brown; caudal fin light

3.3 in HL. eye large, orbit diameter 2.6 inyellow with white margin; pectoral-fin

HL; snoutbase light white, inner axis with large

Dorsal fin with a long base, its length

black spot (Fig. 7C).

1.6 in SL, base of spinous part slightly

Distribution. Previously only known

longer than the soft-ray part; pre-dorsal

from Japan and probably Korea (Tea et al.,length 2.5 in SL; origin of dorsal fin above2019). Newly collected from Kaohsiung,the second lateral-line scale; first dorsal-

Taiwan represents the southernmost record

fin spine shortest, slightly longer than half

within its currently distributed range.

length of second spine, its length 4.0 in HL;

Remarks. Base on some underwatersecond dorsal-fin spine 2.4 in HL; third

photographs from fish image databasedorsal-fin spine 2.2 in HL; fifth dorsal-fin

curated by the Kanagawa Prefecturalspine longest, its 1.9 in HL; fifth dorsal-fin

Museum of Natural History (KPM), theray longest, its 1.9 in HL, fourth dorsal-fin

species frequents deep reefs with some

ray about same length. Anal fin small withsponge and coral cover, at depths reachinga short base, its base 1.5 in HL, much

86 m, though it has been infrequently

shorter than that of soft-ray part of dorsal

recorded at shallower depths of 25 m. It isfin; pre-anal length 1.4 in SL; anal fin basefrequently seen in the company of Sacura

4.3 in SL; first anal-fin spine 4.8 in HL;spp., Pseudanthias spp., Tosanoides spp.

second anal-fin spine 1.8 in HL; fifth anal-and Pseudolabrus spp. (Tea et al., 2019).

fin ray longest, its 1.8 in HL, third andThefourth anal-fin ray about same length.

alongside males of Sacura margaritacea,

Caudal fin moderately short, its length 3.6

O. rhodopeplus, O. katayamai, males andin SL; longest pectoral-fin ray 3.0 in SL;

femalespelvic-fin spine 2.1 in HL.

Plectranthias

Taiwanspecimen

wasof Selenanthias
sheni.

caughtanalis andAlthoughtheColoration. When fresh (Fig. 7A):

fisherman stated that these specimens werehead and body dark grey; a yellow patch incollected at depths around 140‒180 m, thisfront of eye; scales between anal fin andis much deeper than the noted in original

lateral line flashy blue; pectoral fin basedescription and thus needs to be verified.

bright yellow with a large black patch on

Deep water demselfishes like C. tingting,its inner axis; dorsal fin and pectoral fin

C. mirationis and C. okamurai were notgreyish yellow; anal fin lightly yellowish

common at fish market, they mainly being

grey; caudal fin bright yellow with white

a bycatch with others small anthias fishes,100Platax 17: 85-102, 2020
doi: 10.29926/platax.202012_17.0006

it is not easy for researchers to collect

Kanzaiding Fish Market, Keelung, 23 Mar.

specimens.

2020.

Chromis tingting has a similar

Odontanthias

NMMB-P34708,

rhodopeplus:

173.5

mm

SL,

coloration pattern as C. mamatapara

Kanzaiding Fish Market, Keelung, 15 Sep.

Shepherd et al. 2020, a species described

2020.

from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). They can

NMMB-P 34709,

be distinguished from one another in the

Kanzaiding Fish Market, Keelung, 24 May

following characteristic and coloration,2020.

data of C. mamatapara were mentioned in

P34682, 114 mm SL, Cianjhen fish market,

brackets below: pectoral-fin rays 20 (vs.

Kaohsiung southern Taiwan, 20 Aug. 2020.

18–19); total gill rakers 28 (vs. 30–32);

Chromisvertebrae 24 (vs. 26); caudal-peduncular102.4 mm SL, Chen-jien fish market,

dark color with light purple (vs. light

Kaohsiung, 31 Aug. 2020.

Odontanthias

unimaculatus:

138.1

mm

SL,

Chromis mirationis: NMMB-

okamurai:

NMMB-P34710,

yellow).
The Taiwan specimen was slightly

Acknowledgments

different from the type species in having a

I thank Dr. H.-C. Ho of National

smaller eye, orbit diameter 2.6 (vs. 2.1–2.4)

Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium

in HL; a smaller body depth 2.1 (vs. 1.9–

(NMMB-P)2.0) in SL; a shorter upper-jaw length 3.5

knowledges in supporting this study and(vs 2.8–3.4) in HL; a shorter caudal-

Mr. J.-S Yan for providing the specimen

peduncle length 3.3 (vs. 2.7–2.9) in HL; aof O. chrysostictus. This study is partly

shorter pre-dorsal length 2.5 (vs. 2.1–2.4)

supported by Taiwan National Museum

in SL; and a shorter first dorsal-fin spineof Marine and Aquarium.

forgivingacademic

4.0 (vs. 3.0–3.9) in HL.
Comparative
Odontanthias

katayamai:materials

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