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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); albicaudatus: From the Latin albus (white) and cauda (tail). The suggested common name is whitetail jawfish (Ref. 88069).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 25 - 30 m (Ref. 88069). Tropical; 12°N - 11°N, 93°E - 94°E
Distribution
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Eastern Indian Ocean: Andaman Islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 88069)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15. A species of Opistognathus with an elongate supramaxilla and maxilla whose posterior end is produced as a thin flexible lamina that in adults extends to or beyond rear margin of opercle; inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes with one conspicuous black stripe; in life, caudal fin uniformly white; first gill arch with conspicuous, small dark blotches (8–11), each adjacent to a gill-raker base; dorsal fin XI, 15; body with about 72–75 oblique scale rows (Ref. 88069).
Inhabits flat, current-swept (3+ knots) sand and rubble plain at approximately 25–30 m depth without coral growth but with an occasional low, stunted gorgonian sea fan present. Opistognathus cyanospilotus, previously known from the Andaman Sea and Bali but not from the Andaman Islands, occurs in the same environment as O. albicaudatus and was collected from four separate burrows (Ref. 88069).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 2023. Review of Indo-West Pacific jawfishes (Opistognathus: Opistognathidae), with descriptions of 18 new species. Zootaxa 5252(1):1-180. (Ref. 128653)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
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