Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
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); fossoris: Name from the Latin 'fossorius' meaning adapted to digging.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 12 - 32 m (Ref. 75633). Tropical
Eastern Pacific: Mexico.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 75633); 9.2 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17; Vertebrae: 28. This robust species is of moderate size (4.8-9.4 cm SL) possess the following set of features: upper jaw sexually dimorphic, longer in adult males; a black stripe on the inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes; D 15-17, A III; 21-24 gill rakers on lower limb of first arch; multifid nasal cirrus in adults; upper margin of subopercle is extended dorsally as a broad membranous flap; presence of a small black spot at tip of first and second dorsal-fin spines, no ocellated dorsal-fin spot (except in juveniles); body with 6 wide brown bars, usually discontinuous with corresponding markings on dorsal fin, but not below midline; 17 (rarely) or 18 caudal vertebrae (Ref. 75633).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Specimens collected with ichthyocides (Ref. 75633).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Bussing, W.A. and R.J. Lavenberg, 2003. Four new species of eastern tropical Pacific jawfishes (Opistognathus: Opistognathidae). Rev. Biol. Trop. 51(2):529-550. (Ref. 75633)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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