| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
15.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 120 - 140 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Japan (Ryukyu Is., Okinawa) to Indonesia (Sulawesi). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 1.2 to 1.5 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are very broad and robust, the third infraorbital with no suborbital shelf; D XI-XII, 12 (usually XI,12); A II,11; vertebrae 10+16; scale rows in horizontal series 56-67; total gill rakers 41-44. Colouration: in life, body with 5-7 violet-blue stripes and head with prominent violet-blue blotches (Ref, 128653). |
| Biology: |
This species is probably a deep-water species, similar to its sister-species Opistognathus aurolineatus (reflected in the depth range given) (Ref. 128653). Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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