| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
45 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: Durban, South Africa to the Persian Gulf, including Mahé Island, Seychelles (Ref. 5468). Not in Red Sea (Ref. 84159). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-15. This species is distinguished by the following characters: short supramaxilla and mostly rigid maxilla with only a slight flexible lamina posteriorly; an ocellated spot on the dorsal fin, between third or fourth and eighth spines followed by two large, irregular, dark blotches that extend onto body, and a blackish streak on cheek bordering upper edge of maxilla; outermost segmented pelvic-fin ray is tightly bound to adjacent ray, with interradial membrane not incised distally or only slightly at tip (vs. interradial membrane deeply incised in all other Indo-Pacific Opistognathus (Ref. 81517).
Black spot between 3rd and 8th dorsal fin spines, fin also with 2 large blotches that extend onto body; body and dorsal fin with spots and blotches bordered with pale blue (Ref. 5468). |
| Biology: |
This species is occasionally encountered in the fish market and its flesh is reported to be relatively good. It is taken incidentally in bottom trawls and by hook and line at 30-50 m (Ref. 81517). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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