| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
8.12 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 165 - 308 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic: known only from the Bahamas and the Lesser Antilles, including Anegada Passage, between Virgin Islands and Anguilla (ANSP 138563). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-12; Vertebrae: 26-26. Anterior nostril a short tube without cirrus on posterior rim; posterior end of maxilla rigid, without thin flexible lamina; opercle with prominent wedge-shaped dark blotch; buccal cavity and inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes immaculate; dorsal fin spines slender, straight, with rigid sharp tip; nape completely scaled; cheeks with 4 or 5 rows of scales; segmented anal fin rays 11 or 12; caudal vertebrae 16; pelvic fins elongate in adults 39-49% SL with tip of depressed fin extending posteriorly well past anal fin origin (Ref. 26893). |
| Biology: |
Observed using shells and rubble to close their burrow opening (Ref. 26893). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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