The collection and analysis of fishes of the genus Canthidermis done during 2000-2002. The results revealed high intraspecific colour variation among the samples collected from different localities. Canthidermis maculata from Indian seas is redescribed with new characters and examined the status of synonyms of the species. The regression analysis using data of various morphometric measurements on standard lengths revealed a low relationship and significant, suggesting that C. maculata showed high degree of variability in morphological characters. The examination reveals that C. willughbeii (Lay and Bennett, 1839), C. rotundatus (Proce, 1822), C. villosus Fedoryako, 1981 are junior synonym of C. maculata (Bloch, 1786).