| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
18.6 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 2 - 17 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and eastern Africa to the South China Sea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-15. This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongate supramaxilla and posterior end of maxilla produced as a thin flexible lamina, in adults it usually extends almost to or beyond rear margin of opercle; dorsal fin with an ocellated spot between third or fourth and eighth spines; inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes with a single conspicuous black stripe that touches ventral margin of maxilla for most of its length; D Xl,14 or 15 (exceptionally 15); body with about 68-95 oblique scale rows; total gill rakers 36-45, usually 39-45 (Ref. 81517).
Description: Head and body brown with white spots; dorsal fin dusky with white spots and a black ocellated spot between the 4th and 8th spines (Ref. 5468). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits burrows in shallow coastal waters. Also found in sand/rubble bottoms in 2-17 m (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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