Resurrection and Re-description of Pampus candidus (Cuvier), Silver Pomfret from the Northern Indian Ocean

Pomfrets (Genus Pampus) are commercially important fish in the Indo-Pacific region. The systematics of this genus is complicated because of morphological similarities between species. The silver pomfret from Indian waters has long been considered to be Pampus argenteus. Morphological and molecular examination of specimens from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal regions suggested the silver pomfret from the region represents two species that are distinct both from each other and from P. argenteus from the South China Sea. Based on detailed morphological, meristic and molecular examinations, the most common species from the Indian Ocean was found to correspond with the descriptions of Stromateus candidus (Cuvier), which is resurrected from the synonymy of P. argenteus and redescribed here as Pampus candidus (new combination). The second species, which has restricted distribution in Indian waters needs further studies to arrive at taxonomic conclusions and is hence not described in the current study. Lectotypes are also designated for Pampus candidus