Report of three crypto-benthic reef fishes from Lakshadweep islands, India

Abstract

Fishes of the genera Bathygobius and Enneapterygius are represented by small crypto-benthic fishes occurring in shallow intertidal and subtidal areas comprised of sandy or rocky substrata. These species typically occur in the Indo-Pacific region. Lakshadweep Islands are one of the major Island ecosystems in India with atoll reefs. During a survey to explore the marine faunal diversity of Lakshadweep Islands, fish samples were collected and three species among them were not hitherto reported from this region. Current work reports the occurrence of three fishes viz., Bathygobius cocosensis (Bleeker, 1854), Bathygobius cotticeps (Steindachner, 1879), and Enneapterygius clarkae Holleman, 1982 from Lakshadweep Islands in Western Indian Ocean.

Keywords

• Bathygobius
• Enneapterygius
• Gobiidae
• New record
• Tripterygiidae