Sorour Echreshavi - Ichthyology and Molecular Systematics ResearchLaboratory, Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz, University, Shiraz, Iran
Hamid Reza Esmaeili - Ichthyology and Molecular Systematics ResearchLaboratory, Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz, University, Shiraz, Iran
Mohsen Safaie - Hormuzgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Fereidoon Owfi - Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

Till date about 92 goatfishes (Mullidae) from the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the Red, Mediterranean, and Black seas and also from the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea have been reported. A new species Upeneus randalli was described from the Persian Gulf by Uiblein & Heemstra (2011). This species is named in honour of the esteemed ichthyologist John E. Jack Randall. Upeneus randalli is restricted to the Western Indian (Persian Gulf, Kuwait and Bahrain waters). Body elongate, scales ctenoid, gill rakers 23-25, dorsal rays VIII+9, pectoral-fin rays 14, lateral line scales 28-30. Head and body white laterally with some irregular red markings, ventral part white, tip of snout and upper jaw beige, iris red, barbels white. As the biology, ecology and phylogenetic relationship of this species are unknown, it is suggested that these characters to be investigated.

Upeneus randalli, Persian Gulf, Morphometric characteristics.