Rare batfish species, Halicmetus ruber Alcock, 1891 (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae), from the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone

On the basis of all ogcocephalid genera morphological characteristics, Bradbury (1967) concluded that the Halicmetus head is distinguishable from others in that it: is markedly depressed, with the face flattened (truncated) and distinctly upturned; shows the presence of bucklers and small tubercles; has two gills, with gill filaments only on the 2nd and 3rd gill arches; the pectoral pedicles are not well attached to the body wall; has an interrupted lateral line and with the illicial bone split into two long processes. Halicmetus specimens are uncommon. Hence, an attempt has been made here to redefine this deep-sea fish by comparing its morphometrics and meristics with those of H. cf. ruber and H. reticulatus from the Pacific Ocean.