| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
8.91 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 27 - 68 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic: Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 16-17; Vertebrae: 29-30. Anterior nostril a short tube simple cirrus on posterior rim; posterior end of maxilla of adult males produced as a thin flexible lamina that usually extends beyond posterior margin of opercle; spinous dorsal fin with black spot encircled by broad whit ring; adult males with inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes with prominent black stripe (stripe usually absent or light brown and poorly developed in females); buccal pigmentation consisting of a large dark area widely surrounding esophageal opening, including medial area between upper pharyngeal tooth patches; caudal vertebrae 19 or 20, usually 20 (Ref. 26893). |
| Biology: |
Known only from coastal waters (Ref. 26893). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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