First Record of the Arabian Barracuda Sphyraena arabiansis (Sphyraenidae) from Korean Waters

This study reports the first records of Sphyraena arabiansis in the Korean waters. The two specimens were collected from the coastal waters of Yeosu (1164 mm TL) and Jeju Island (1187 mm TL), Korea, on 31 July and 24 October 2025, respectively. This species is characterized by the posterior end of the upper jaw not extending vertically below the eye, the lateral line curving anterior to the first dorsal fin, the lower part of the branchiostegal membrane being whitish, dark transverse bands on the upper side of the body crossing the lateral line but not reaching the abdomen, no black spots on the body side, 118 and 121 lateral line scales, and 14 scales below the lateral line. To confirm the accuracy of species identification, the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences were obtained from the samples and compared with those of seven sphyraenid species recorded in the NCBI GenBank database. As a result, they matched well with S. arabiansis but differed from those of S. barracuda. The new Korean name, “Jjalb-eun-ip-keun-kko-chi-go-gi,” is proposed for the species.