Ozichthys new genus

Figures 1–3, Table 1

Type species. Apogon albimaculosus Kailola 1976

Diagnosis. First dorsal fin with eight visible dorsal spine or eighth as a barely hidden nubbin; 17–19 pectoral-fin rays; an extended, rounded caudal, second dorsal and anal fins, an ossified ventral preopercular margin; weakly serrate ventral and posterior preopercular margin; serrate posttemporal; supramaxilla absent; epineural on ninth rib, fused hypurals 1+2; urostylar sheath over hypurals 3 and 4; 23–24 pored lateral-line scales, pale intestine; elongate last pored lateral-line scale; sixteen rows of free neuromasts on principal caudal-fin rays; 5 canal flutes on post orbit and 8 flutes on nape.

Description. Monotypic, as in the description for the species.

Comparisons. See Table 1 and remarks under the species.

Etymology. Oz is a colloquial English name for Australia combined with the Greek ichthys, a fish. Ozichthys is a masculine noun referring to the restricted distribution to tropical marine waters of Australia and southern New Guinea.