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Opistognathus pholeter Smith-Vaniz, 2023 Hidden jawfish |
| Family: | Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 6.16 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 2 - 30 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Central Pacific: New Caledonia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 9-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-22; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 17-19; Vertebrae: 22-23. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: rigid upper jaw with no flexible lamina posteriorly, extending 0.6 to 0.9 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals moderately slender except 2nd and 3rd infraorbitals much larger with large sensory canal openings, 3rd infraorbital with no suborbital shelf; D IX-XI, 19-22; A II, 17-19, rarely 17; vertebrae 11+22-24, typically 23; scale rows in horizontal series about 39-51; absence of scales anterolaterally forward of verticals from dorsal-fin spines 4-6; vomerine teeth 1-3; dorsal and anal fin with a narrow dark basal stripe; and caudal fin with 4-5 dark bands. (Ref. 128653). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 September 2024 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||