Abstract

A single juvenile specimen (12.57 mm in standard length) belonging to the family Gempylidae was collected for the first time from the waters off the southeastern coast of Jeju-do Island, Korea in May 2024. Molecular analysis based on mitochondrial DNA COI sequences showed that our specimen perfectly corresponded to Nealotus tripes adult. Our juvenile also matched N. tripes based on the following morphological combinations; a conspicuous head length (37.31% in standard length), very long snout (40.30% in head length), elongated pelvic fin spine (25.38% in standard length), the presence of a distinct row of melanophores along the dorsal midline of body, and a large black spot on the mid-lateral caudal peduncle. This is the first record of N. tripes in Korea, and we propose a new Korean name ‘Ga-neun-tong-chi’ for this species.