First record of the genus Paracaristius (Perciformes: Caristiidae) from the Pacific of Central America, with comments on their association with the siphonophore Praya reticulata (Siphonophorae: Prayidae)

Abstract

Manefish are not very common and there are few observations of associations with other organisms. An adult of the manefish Paracaristius maderensis and a juvenile of Paracaristius sp. are reported for the first time for the Pacific coast of Central America. The adult specimen (215 mm standard length) was captured off Panama, at a depth of 1000 m. The juvenile specimen (17.5 mm standard length) was recorded on video, in association with the siphonophore Praya reticulata at Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, at a depth of 100 m. A brief description of specimens supporting this record as well as comparative morphometric data and distributional information are provided. The fish–siphonophore association is illustrated.