Opistognathus bathyphilus Smith-Vaniz, 2023
Lansdowne jawfish

Family:  Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Max. size:  6.63 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 120 - 150 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Lansdowne Bank on the Lord Howe Ridge.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.9 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are relatively slender and tubular, the third infraorbital with moderate posterolateral projecting arm ending with large sensory canal opening, no suborbital shelf; D XI,11; A II,11; vertebrae 10+16; gill rakers 12+25. Colouration: nape with a dark blotch slightly in advance of dorsal-fin origin; dorsum with a row of 5 dark blotches extending distinctly onto dorsal fin and the last blotch on dorsal fin at least as wide as anterior blotches (Ref. 128653).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.