On Two Long-Barbeled Astronesthes ( cyaneus ) (Stomiidae) Species from the Indian Ocean

Astronesthes cf. indopacificus and Astronesthes formosana are reported from the Arabian Sea and central Indian Ocean respectively. The former species is tentatively identified as Astronesthes cf. indopacificus , which differs from A. formosana primarily by lower photophore and vertebrae counts as well as by the shape of luminous patch on preopercle. Astronesthes formosana is reported for the first time from the Indian Ocean. The two important diagnostic features such as changes in relative growth of barbel with length of head and abundance of luminous tissues on body showed strong variations in both the studied species.