Malakichthys Doderlein, 1883, comprises seven species: type species Malakichthys griseus Doderlein 1883, from southern Japan to north-western Australia; Malakichthys barbatus Yamanoue & Yoseda, 2001, from southern Japan, the South China Sea, north-western Australia and the Coral Sea; Malakichthys elegans Matsubara & Yamaguti, 1943, from southern Japan south to the Arafura Sea; Malakichthys levis Yamanoue & Matsuura, 2001, from northern Australia; Malakichthys mochizuki Yamanoue & Matsuura, 200 1, from the Coral Sea; Malakichthys similis sp. nov. from the Bohol Sea, Philippines; Malakichthys wakiyae Jordan & Hubbs, 1925, from southern Japan and Taiwan. Species of Malakichthys are very similar to each other in general appearance but are distinguishable by spination on the lower jaw, features of the proximal-middle radial of the first anal-fin pterygiophore, the number of anal-fin soft rays and body depth. (C) 2004 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
