Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Rüppell 1838) —Indian Ocean twospot cardinalfish

Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Rüppell 1838) by Bariche & Azzurro (2012); as Cheilodipterus novemstriatus by Aguillar et al. (2018: 80). Material in collection: AUBM (OS3916).

Distribution. Red Sea, northwestern Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden and Socotra east to Persian Gulf; Mediterranean Sea (Red Sea immigrant).

Conservation. IUCN: Global (NE). Capture and threats: Unknown. Occurrence: Common. Significant increase in the last two decades. Non-indigenous species, no conservation action needed.