Redescription of Lepadichthys coccinotaenia Regan 1921 and description of Lepadichthys trishula sp. nov. from southern Japan (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae)

Lepadichthys coccinotaenia Regan 1921 (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae) is redescribed on the basis of 60 specimens, including the holotype, and a new species of Lepadichthys , previously misidentified as L. coccinotaenia , described from Japan. Lepadichthys trishula sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characters: 10–12 (modally 11) dorsal-fin rays; 9–11 (10) anal-fin rays; 23–26 (23) pectoral-fin rays; upper end of gill membrane level with base of 8th to 10th (usually 10th) pectoral-fin ray in lateral view; 6–8 (7) gill rakers on each arch; 32 or 33 (32) vertebrae; snout somewhat short and slender, its length and depth 7.4–9.4 (mean 8.4) and 4.0–6.5 (5.1) % SL, respectively; upper jaw not sharply pointed or projected, its length 5.5–7.7 (6.5) % SL; side of lower-jaw teeth with hook-like tips; head depth 7.2–10.4 (8.5) % SL; disc size moderate, its length 14.0–18.2 (16.8) % SL; dorsal and anal fins with weak membranous connections to caudal fin; head sensory canal pores well developed, including 2 nasal, lacrimal and postorbital, and 3 preopercular pores; and three narrow white stripes from snout to vertical through posterior margin of disc, including two lateral and one on the dorsal midline. The new species is currently known only from Japan, whereas L. coccinotaenia occurs only in the southwestern Indian Ocean.