| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
4.89 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 5 - 65 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: South Africa and northwest Madagascar. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 13-14; Vertebrae: 27-28. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: upper jaw is broadly rounded with a large oval-shaped supramaxilla, and maxilla with a flexible lamina posteriorly, extending 1.0-1.2 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; D XI,13-14; dark blotch on posterior angle of jaws, including inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes; no ocellus or large dark blotches on dorsal fin; no vomerine teeth (Ref. 85161). Expanded diagnostics: infraorbitals relatively robust, 2nd and 3rd infraorbitals with large sensory canal openings, 3rd infraorbital with no suborbital shelf; A III, 13-14; vertebrae 10+17-18; scale rows in horizontal series about 40-41; gill raker 9+15-16 in adults (except 6+14 in two juveniles, 21.0-23.0 mm SL); posterior angle of jaws and adjacent membranes with a dark blotch that is visible externally; spinous dorsal
fin with no anterior ocellus or dark blotches; pelvic and anal fins are dark, the latter with pale margin (Ref.128653). |
| Biology: |
|
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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