Lapitaichthys frickei Schwarzhans & Møller 2007

This species is distinct and has the following set of characters: anterior nostril placed moderately low on snout, 1/3.5 the distance from upper lip to aggregate distance to anterior margin of eye; copulatory organ of male with a pair of small (outer) pseudoclaspers with single supporter and small hook at anterior rim; small, size not exceeding 5.0 cm SL; 12-13 precaudal vertebrae, 43-45 total vertebrae; D 92-99, V in D 2.4-2.6; branchiostegal rays 6-7; scale patch on cheek only, none on operculum; presence of upper preopercular pore; moderately elongated otolith, its length to height 2.0-2.1, slightly inclined (5°) sulcus, separated colliculi, ostium length to cauda length 2.5-2.8; maxilla expanded posterio-ventrally (Ref. 76869).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 89 - 99; Analsoft rays: 62 - 74; Vertebrae: 43 - 45

Restricted to lagoonal and back reef environments; most specimens were found in crevices of coralline rock of fringing lagoonal reefs associated with live corals (Ref. 76869).

Lapitaichthys frickei is a species of viviparous brotula found on reefs around New Caledonia. This species grows to a length of 4.9 centimetres (1.9 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus. The specific name refers to the ichthyologist Ronald Fricke of the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart while the generic name is derived from a mishearing of the local word xaapeta which means "to dig a hole" and the Greek ichthys which means "fish".