Additions to Benthopelagic Fish Fauna of the Aden Gulf-Arabian Sea (Actinoptcrygii: Bramidae and Stcrnoptychidae)

Abstract

During April 2006, for the first lime in the Aden Gulf 34 specimens of Bramids were caught by means of pelagic longline at depths varying between 350-480 m. Specimens were thoroughly studied, morphological and biological features were recorded immediately while they were iced fresh. As a result of the present study Taractes rubescens Jordan and Evermann from the family Bramidae (Perciformes) and Argyropetecus acuteatus Valencienn from the family Sternoptychidae (Stomiiformes) were newly recognized in Aden Gulf and consequently the Arabian Sea. A big fish size, high falcate front of dorsal and anal fins and widely forked crescent-shaped caudal fin is the main distinctive characteristics of Taractes rubescens. Most of the morphometric traits are well expounded and given here for first time. As well as, some important biological characteristics were noticed. From this study it can concluded that deep Aden gulf still holds a lot of attractive conditions for oceanic and deep water marine organisms, which need profound and meticulously long-term scientific investigations. © 2010 Academic Journals Inc.