New locality of sharp-tail sunfish (Masturus lanceolatus) in Indian waters

Abstract

Sharp-tail sunfish (Masturus lanceolatus) occurrence in Indian seas is uncommon and its taxonomy is still in controversy. The species was hooked in a sub-surface long-line during an exploratory survey for oceanic tuna and allied fish within the Indian exclusive economic zone in the Lakshadweep Sea along the west coast of India by survey ship MFV 'Yellow Fin' attached to the Fishery Survey of India, Mormugoa, Goa, India. It is reported to be the first Masturus species in the Lakshadweep Sea. The sample weighted 100 kg and had a total length of 147 cm. The morphometric and meristic measurements were made and results indicated; the species recorded was the third largest in total length and the heaviest in terms of mass compared to earlier reports in Indian seas.

First Record of the Ocean Sunfish, Mola alexandrini (Ranzani 1839), (Tetraodontiformes: Molidae) from the Coastal Waters of Andhra Pradesh, India

“…Moreover, in recent times there has been a massive development of fisheries and upgraded fishing vessels extended their trawling operations into deeper waters, catching more varieties of fishes in the study region [31][32][33][34][35]. The present report of the species from Andhra Pradesh coastal waters along central east coast of India would help in creating new awareness and scope for the proper documentation of data on this deficient species from the Indian waters [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47].…”