| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
7.14 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 18 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Pacific: Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-19; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 17-19; Vertebrae: 33-33. This species possess the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.6-0.9 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are moderately wide, the third infraorbital largest with large sensory canal openings, no suborbital shelf; D XI,18-19; A II,17-19; vertebrae 10 + 23; scale rows in horizontal series about 47-51; no scales anterolaterally forward of verticals from 6th or 7th dorsal-fin spine; vomerine teeth 2 or 3. Colouration: an oblong black spot (partially encircled by white border) between spines 3-6 of dorsal fin, and this extends slightly onto dorsum; when alive, yellowish-brown with pale blue markings in dorsal fin; when preserved, head and body uniformly tan, except largest specimen with pair of pale basicaudal spots (Ref. 76827, 128653). |
| Biology: |
Benthic species which occurs inshore; inhabits coral reef (Ref. 75154). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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