Abstract
Two specimens identified as Caristius sp. were collected from the eastern Gulf of Mexico in September 1984 and April 1987. These fish represent the first reported occurrence of the family Caristiidae from the Gulf of Mexico. A third specimen was taken off the northeast coast of Florida in March of 1977. Owing to a number of morphological differences from previously described species, we present a description of these specimens. Since our specimens most closely resemble Maul's (1949) original description for C. maderensis, we compare them to the holotype. This species has not been previously reported from western Atlantic waters. Counts and measurements follow Hubbs and Lagler (1949), with additional morphometric data included. One of the larger specimens was cleared and double stained in order to examine osteology and facilitate meristic determinations.