Two new species of the Indo-Pacific fish genus Pseudoplesiops (Perciformes, Pseudochromidae, Pseudoplesiopinae)

Abstract

Pseudoplesiops immaculatus is described from 72 specimens from throughout the West Pacific and the eastern and central Indian Ocean. It is distinguished from congeners in having, in combination, a prominent intermandibular flap and an unspotted operculum. Pseudoplesiops occidentalis is described from five specimens from the Maldive Islands, central Indian Ocean. It is distinguished from congeners in having, in combination, II,23 dorsal-fin rays, 26–28 scales in lateral series, and scales with distinct centres and radii in all fields.