Occurrence of slender threadfin bream, Nemipterus zysron (Bleeker, 1856) (Perciformes: Nemipteridae), from Tuticorin Coast

Abstract

On 26thMarch, 2013 a single specimen of slender threadfin bream, Nemipterus zysron (Bleeker, 1856) with total length 247.4 mm was collected from Punnakayal landing centre. This specimen was caught by the gill net operated between 20 and 50 m depth at a distance of 25 to 40 nautical miles from the shore. Occurrence of N. zysron is reported for the first time from the Tuticorin coast. Nemipteridae family has 5 genus and 65 species. In contrast with other Nemipterus species, N. zysron was easily identified in the field by the presence of yellow stripes in front of eye through nostrils and from upper lip to beneath the eye. Body slender and elongated, body depth 3.84 times SL; snout length equal to diameter of eye; diameter of eye 3.14 times head length; lower margin of eye just above a line from tip of snout to upper base of pectoral fin