| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
3.74 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 16 - 18 m |
| Distribution: |
Northwest Pacific: Japan (Ryukyu Is.). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 11-11. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XI,11; pectoral fin 21-22; longitudinal scale rows 45-48; gill rakers on first gill arch 13-14 + 23-24 = 36-37; orbit diameter 10.7-11.5 % of SL; sensory pores 2 (I4 and I5) on posterior half of interorbital space; first 2 mandibular pores (M1, M2) well-spaced, and fifth pore (M5) with a single opening; lateral line terminating below the 2nd-4th dorsal fin soft ray base (dorsal fin element 13.5-14.5); distal incision of 3rd to 5th dorsal-fin spines is moderate; anteroventral surface of upper lip is smooth. Colouration: body uniformly whitish-green covered with slight brown pigmentation; the lateral surface of head with several gray, roughly irregular blotches; dorsal-fin membrane is whitish-green, no notable patterns or markings when fresh; anterior gular region unpigmented (chin and area adjacent to anterior two mandibular pores with a few scatted melanophores) (Ref. 137491). |
| Biology: |
Specimens were collected by handnet in an inner bay of the type locality with silty sand bottom (Ref. 137491). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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