| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
13.12 cm SL (male/unsexed); 11.01 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range - 46 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic: USA and the Bahamas. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-18; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 16-18; Vertebrae: 29-31. Anterior nostril a short tube with simple cirrus on posterior rim; posterior end of maxilla of adult males produced as a thin flexible lamina that usually extends beyond posterior margin of opercle; spinous dorsal fin with black spot encircled by broad white ring; adult males with inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes with prominent black stripe (stripe usually absent or light brown and poorly developed in females; buccal pigmentation consisting of a large dark area widely surrounding esophageal opening, including medial area between upper pharyngeal tooth patches; caudal vertebrae typically 20 (Ref. 26893). |
| Biology: |
Continental species (Ref. 26893). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
