First data on the ontogeny of Nautichthys pribilovius (Pisces: Hemitripteridae) in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

Five specimens of a rare fish Nautichthys pribilovius (12.5, 13.9, 15.0, 33.0 and 54.0 mm SL) were found in waters of the Far Eastern State Marine Biospheric Nature Reserve and in Vostok Bay. A description of the examined specimens and habitat data are provided. Literature data and our own observations show that as the fish grows from a larva into an adult, the length of the snout and head, as well as the size of the pectoral fin increase, the eye diameter diminishes, and the pigmentation pattern changes.