Two specimens of Xanthichthys lineopunctatus of total length 254 mm and 293 mm were collected from hook and line units operating off Kerala near Lakshadweep on the south-west coast of India in October 2004 and November 2005. The species is characterized by an oblong compressed body with a small mouth, yellowish brown body traversed horizontally by incomplete reddish brown lines from the operculum which become dotted lines on ventral area. This is the first report of the genus from Indian waters and an addition to the nine genera and thirteen species of balistids already reported from Indian waters. The descriptions of the specimens collected are provided with possible cause of range extension due to temperature changes in its natural habitat.
