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Ovalentaria/misc (Various families in series Ovalentaria) >
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Etymology: Opistognathus: Greek, opisthe = behind + Greek, gnathos = jaw (Ref. 45335); to the very elongate upper jaw of the type species of the genus, Opistognathus nigromarginatus (Ref. 128653); simus: Name from the Latin 'simus' (pugnosed), refers to the blunt snout.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 1 - ? m (Ref. 85161). Tropical
Western Indian Ocean: known only from Cargados Carajos [= St. Brandon Shoals].
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 85161); 6.6 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 16; Vertebrae: 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).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 2010. New species of Indo-Pacific jawfishes (Opistognathus: Opistognathidae) from the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Smithiana Bull. 12:39-54. (Ref. 85161)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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