A new endemic species of triplefin Ruanoho scurra is described from deep water (108-216 m) on the shelf region around coastal New Zealand (Northland to Stewart Island). It is differentiated from its congeners by the combination of fresh colour (bright yellow spots on the head and anterior body, oblique lines on the dorsal and anal fins, and sub-vertical lines on the caudal) as well as some proportional measurements. Comments are made on the relationship with its congeners, and evolutionary history of the family in New Zealand waters, along with observations on the habitat in which this new species is found. This paper formally describes the species first mentioned in Stewart & Clements 2015:1523 as the polkadot triplefin.

Kua whakamaramatia tetahi momo tira-toru taketake hou, ara, ko te Ruanoho scarra, no nga wai uriuri (108-216 m) i nga takiwa pukawa a-tai huri noa i nga tai o Aotearoa (Muriwhenua ki Rakiura). Ma tona kopatanga e kitea ai tona rereketanga i te honohononga i nga tae kitakita (ara, ko nga tingotingo tae kowhai muramura o te pane me te a muri o te tinana, ko nga tohu hotiu o nga uratira o nga taramutu, tae atu hoki ki nga tohu poutu iti o te hiku, tera ano nga korero ineine panga riterite. Koia ka whakamaramatia tenei panga o nga kopatanga, me te whakapapa o te whanaketanga mai o tenei momo ki roto ki nga wai, hui tahi ki nga kitenga e pa ana ki nga kainga noho e kitea ai tenei momo hou. Ko ta tenei tuhinga he whakamarama tika atu i nga korero whakamarama tuatahi mo tenei momo i a Stewart & Clements 2015:1523 e mohiotia