Opistognathus simus Smith-Vaniz, 2010
Cargados jawfish
photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB

Family:  Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Max. size:  5.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 6.64 cm SL (female)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range - 1 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: known only from Cargados Carajos [= St. Brandon Shoals].
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 29-29. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: rigid maxilla without flexible lamina posteriorly; D XI,15; body with about 53-62 oblique scale rows in longitudinal series; no scales anterolaterally forward of verticals from 5th or 6th segmented dorsal-fin rays; no pale basicaudal spots on caudal fin; no vomerine teeth (Ref. 85161).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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 Not for publication.