DESCRIPTIONS OF 3 NEW SPECIES OF THE CARDINALFISH GENUS ARCHAMIA (PERCIFORMES, APOGONIDAE)

Three new species of the genus Archamia are described from specimens c ollected on the Omani coast of the Arabian Sea and in the Red Sea. A. pallida, from Oman, has 14 pectoral rays, 13-14 soft anal rays, 15-17 developed gill rakers, and 9 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial bone; A. irida, from the Gulf of Suez, has 14 pectoral rays, 15-17 sof t anal rays, 20-21 developed gill rakers, and usually 11 gill rakers o n the first ceratobranchial bone. Both species have a small black spot at the middle of the caudal-fin base, and no distinctive markings on the body. A. bilineata, from the Gulf of Aqaba, has 13 pectoral rays, 12-13 soft anal rays, 18-21 developed gill rakers, usually II gill rak ers on the first ceratobranchial bone, two dark narrow stripes on the body, and a large dark spot on the caudal peduncle. A key to the weste rn Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf) species o f Archamia is provided.