A new record of Neobythites multistriatus Nielsen & Qu,ro, 1991 (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) from the Andaman Sea, North Indian Ocean

The occurrence of Neobythites multistriatus Nielsen & Qu,ro, 1991 which hitherto has not been recorded from the Andaman Sea is reported here. Three specimens measuring 175 mm, 153 mm and 136 mm (total length) were collected from Andaman Sea (13A degrees 10'903aEuro(3)N, 93A degrees 08'162aEuro(3)E) from a depth range of 320-410 m. The results of the comparison of meristic and morphometric characters with the holotype and paratypes of the species are presented. N. multistriatus is closely related to N. fasciatus in terms of two opercular spines and several vertical bars on the body ending as ocelli or dark blotches on the dorsal and anal fins, versus posterior to the line. The occurrence of this little-known benthopelagic fish in Andaman waters for the first time further adds to and strengthens the rich deep-sea ichthyofaunal biodiversity of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India, which is hitherto not fully known.