NEW RECORD OF THE TASSLED SCORPION FISH, SCORPAENOPSIS OXYCEPHALA (BLEEKER, 1849) (ORDER: SCORPAENIFORMES, FAMILY: SCORPAENIDAE) FROM VISAKHAPATNAM COAST, INDIAN WATERS

Based on twenty two specimens of the Tassled Scorpion Fish, species of Scorpaenopsis oxycephala (Bleeker, 1849) (85-96 mm, TL) collected from the Visakhapatnam coastal waters, east coast of India, we described Scorpaenopsis oxycephala as the new record from Indian Ichthyofauna.This species mainly characterized by having 12 dorsal spines, preopercular with five spines; supraorbital tentacle long; scales present in the space between opercular spines naked; occipital very shallow; pectoral length 26.22 in percentage of standard length; pelvic fin ray length 22.05 in percentage of standard length. In the present study the diagnosis, remarks and a specimen photo are given.