Ridged-mouth scorpionfish, Neomerinthe costata Matsumoto & Motomura 2025

Summary:

Preserved coloration: body and pectoral fins pale yellowish, with indistinct blotches above the lateral line.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2026, Neomerinthe costata in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 Jul 2026, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5408

Ridged-mouth scorpionfish, Neomerinthe costata Matsumoto & Motomura 2025

More Info

Distribution	Off central Western Australia.
Features	Dorsal fin XII, 8-9; Pectoral fin 18-19; Scale rows in longitudinal series 36-38; Lateral line, pored scales 24; Scale rows above lateral line 4-5, below lateral line 9-10, between 6th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5-6, between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5-6; upper Gill rakers 5-6 + 10-13 = 15-18; Suborbital spines 3. Longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla present; Lateral lacrimal spine present; 2nd preopercular spine present; 4th preopercular spine small, directed posteroventrally; upper posttemporal spine usually present; minute slit behind last gill arch. Many small cycloid scales on base of pectoral fin and ventral surface of body from isthmus to beyond pelvic fin. Posterior margin of soft-rayed portion of dorsal-fin rounded; fin membrane between last dorsal-fin soft ray and caudal peduncle present; 2nd dorsal-fin ray length 18.6-20.8 % SL; 3rd dorsal-fin ray length 19.1-20.4 % SL; 4th dorsal-fin ray length 18.0-20.5 % SL; 5th dorsal-fin ray length 17.6-20.3 % SL; 3rd preopercular spine length 1.3-3.0 % HL; 4th preopercular spine length 0.7-2.0 % HL.
Etymology	The specific name is from the Latin costa (= rib), in reference to the distinct longitudinal ridge on the lateral surface of the maxilla.
Species Citation	Neomerinthe costata Matsumoto & Motomura 2025, Ichthyological Research 72(1): 2, Figs. 1, 7a. Type locality: Northwest of Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia, 27°55'43.2"′S, 113°08'16.8"E - 27°55'01.2"S, 113°08'38.4"E, depth 252 - 253 metres.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2026

Ridged-mouth scorpionfish, Neomerinthe costata Matsumoto & Motomura 2025

References

Matsumoto, T.; Motomura, H. (2024). Two new species of the scorpionfish genus Neomerinthe Fowler 1935 (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) from northwestern Australia. Ichthyological Research 72(1): 130-145, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00975-z