Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002

Figure 1, Tables 1, 2

Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002: 20, fig. 10 (Southwest of Rowley Shoals, 18°4.6′S, 118°22′E, Western Australia, 327– 328 m; holotype: WAM P.28107-001).

Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two spines; dorsal-fin rays 88–92; anal-fin rays 73–77; pectoral-fin rays 26–27; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53–54; pseudobranchial filaments 8–11; long rakers on anterior gill arch 9–10; head length 23–25% SL; pelvic-fin length 14–19% SL, fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.2–4.7% SL and 17–19% HL; longest gill filament 1.6–1.8% SL and 6.7–7.4% HL; dorsal fin with large ocellus placed slightly behind line through anus, spot distance 44–49% SL and spot covers 9–13 dorsal-fin rays, not extending ventrally onto body; preserved specimens with dark-brown ocellus spot; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.8–5.9% SL, sulcus length 4.7–4.8% SL, and ostium height 13–14% sulcus length and 19–20% ostium length.

Distribution and size. SE Indian Ocean, off NW Australia at 42–350 m depth. Known up to 245 mm SL.