Centrodraco fidelis (Draconettidae), a new deepwater dragonet species from the southern Loyalty Ridge, southwestern Pacific Ocean
How to cite: Fricke, R. (2015). Centrodraco fidelis (Draconettidae), a new deepwater dragonet species from the southern Loyalty Ridge, southwestern Pacific Ocean. Cybium, 39(3): 211-217. https://doi.org/10.26028/CYBIUM/2015-393-004
Centrodraco fidelis sp. nov. is described from three specimens, which were collected on the southern Loyalty Ridge (New Caledonian EEZ) during the oceanographic cruise EXBODI. The species is characterised by: 14 rays in the second dorsal fin; 13 rays in the anal fin; first dorsal fin with the second spine elongate and fila- mentous in the male; second dorsal fin very low, without filaments in the male; opercular spine 1.8-2.4 in subo- percular spine; body slightly compressed; body depth 7.4-8.5% of SL; body width 7.7-8.8% of SL; pectoral fin short, not reaching to anus when adpressed; pectoral fin length 9.9-11.8% of SL; male body colour pattern pale, with a single grey spot on the beginning of the lower lateral line; filament in first dorsal fin pale, fin with a large basal dark blotch; the male anal fin with three dark blotches. The new species is compared with allied species. A revised key to the genera and species of Draconettidae presented.