43. Brachypleura novaezeelandiae Gunther, 1862

Yellow-dabbled flounder (Figure44)

Material examined: 1 ex.; 22.07.11; Shankarpur, Reg. No. MARC /ZSI/F3741 .

Description: D: 0, 65-77, A: 0, 41-50. Body oval and flat; dorsal fin extending onto head; dorsal fin without spine. Lower jaw prominent; vomarine teeth present. Ground color yellowish or yellowish brown; dorsal, anal and caudal fins paler than body with dark spots. Blind side whitish. Some anterior dorsal fin rays elongated in males, not in females, all rays except a few at posterior end of fin unbranched. Pectoral fin on eyed side with 11-13 rays, on blind side with 10-13 rays. Caudal fin with 13-14 branched rays and rounded margin

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: India eastward to the Malay Archipelago and the South China Sea, southward to the Philippines and northwest Australia; eastward to New Guinea.

IUCN Status (2012): Least Concern (LC).

Remarks: The fish has minor commercial value.