The present study reports the occurrence of Snakehead gudgeon Giuris tolsoni (Bleeker, 1854) (Order-Gobiiformes) under the family Eleotridae for the first time from Andaman and Nicobar islands, India. Two specimens (Standard length ranges from 6.55 to 8.05 cm) were collected in January 2022 from the Great Nicobar Island. The new India records expand the known distribution of G. tolsoni, which had previously been reported from Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan only is a new addition to the list of freshwater fishes from Indian waters. This study will be helpful in further study of its biology, zoogeography and taxonomic status of the family Eleotridae. The species is discussed herein with its morphometric and meristic characteristics.

Giuris tolsoni, new record, Eleotridae, Andaman and Nicobar Island, India

The present study reports the new record of Giuris tolsoni (Bleeker, 1854) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. This is the first distributional record of the Family Eleotridae, Genus Giuris and the species i.e. Giuris tolsoni (Bleeker, 1984) in the Indian Waters. The current study will help the freshwater fish researchers in future for conserving the genetic data and creating its fishery potential for socioeconomic development.

Mrinal Kumar Das and Chandrakasan Sivaperuman (2023). First Record of Snakehead gudgeon Giuris tolsoni (Bleeker, 1854) (Gobiiformes: Eleotridae) from Indian waters. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8): 305-309.