Munehiro Takami

Paraliparis ruficometes sp. nov. (Liparidae), a new snailfish from Suruga Trough, Japan

A new liparid fish, Paraliparis ruficometes sp. nov., is described from 28 specimens collected between 1,430–2,070 m depth in Suruga Trough, Suruga Bay, Japan. It can be distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by the following combination of characters: 61–64 total vertebrae; 53–59 dorsal-fin rays; 48–52 anal-fin rays; 20–25 pectoral-fin rays, lower part of each ray completely free; 6 principal caudal-fin rays, dorsalmost elongate, about 2 or 3 times length of other rays; simple teeth on both jaws; gill slit 5.9–10.0% SL, extending in front of 9th–13th pectoral-fin ray base; 4 pectoral proximal radials (all unnotched); peritoneum and stomach black.