| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
20 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 44 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to northern South America. Including Antilles but absent in Jamaica (Ref. 26938). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-16. Black spot on upper half of dorsal fin from sixth or seventh to ninth spines. Males have long, upcurved extension of maxillary bone marked with black bands (Ref. 26938). Females appear to lack the long double-banded maxilla, and there is only a single blackish band at the corner of the mouth (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits sandy bottoms near coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Feeds on gastropods, crabs and fishes (Ref. 13628). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Oviparous, mouthbrooding by males (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 January 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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