Revised Diagnosis and First Japanese Records of the Waspfish <i>Ocosia spinosa</i> (Teleostei: Tetrarogidae)

Ocosia spinosa Chen, 1981 (Tetrarogidae) is newly recorded from the Pacific coast of Japan, on basis 10 specimens (31.3–78.1 mm standard length), having been previously reported only Taiwan. A revised diagnosis for species, based Japanese plus a single specimen Taiwan, given as follows: XV–XVIII, 7 or 8 dorsal-fin rays; III, 4–6 anal-fin usually 13 (rarely 12) pectoral-fin 12–18 lateral-line pores body; 6–15 gill rakers; 28 27) vertebrae; 2nd spine longest, slightly longer than 3rd spine; interspinous membranes middle portion dorsal fin incised one-fourth to one-third each length; profile snout concave; posterior lacrimal directed backward, its length about 2–3 times greater that anterior small lateral present (absent in larger specimens); at end suborbital ridge smaller weak stubby papillae covering upper lip and half lower lip; trunk uniformly brownish-red when fresh, without distinct markings (but with faint brownish blotch near base some individuals). Although presence absence spines surface has regarded an important diagnostic character O. spinosa, examination showed changes growth. The represent first records, well northernmost easternmost records species. new English names “Red Waspfish” “Aka-hachiokoze”, respectively, are proposed spinosa.