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Fish Identification: Find Species

Class: Teleostei
Order: Ovalentaria/misc
Family: Opistognathidae Jawfishes

Genus: Opistognathus

(See list of species below)


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78 species (see list below)
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No picture found

Max. Length 4.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus adelus
[Obscure jawfish]

Photo by Heemstra, P.C./SAIAB

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.1 cm SL
Opistognathus afer Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Photo by Heemstra, P.C./SAIAB
 
Opistognathus afer
[African jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Indian Ocean
Max. Length 9.5 cm SL
Opistognathus albicaudatus Smith-Vaniz, 2011

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus albicaudatus
[Whitetail jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 5.7 cm SL
 
Opistognathus albomaculatus
[Whitespotted jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 7.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus alleni
[Abrolhos jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 5.0 cm SL
 
Opistognathus asper
[Ashmore jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus aurifrons (Jordan & Thompson, 1905)

Photo by Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus aurifrons
[Yellowhead jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 22.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus aurolineatus
[Threestripe jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 6.6 cm SL
 
Opistognathus bathyphilus
[Lansdowne jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 6.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus biporus
[Bipored jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 12.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus brasiliensis
[Darkfin jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 5.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus brochus
[]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 25 cm SL
Opistognathus castelnaui Bleeker, 1860

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus castelnaui
[Castelnau's jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 7.6 cm SL
 
Opistognathus challenger
[]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 3.6 cm SL
Opistognathus crassus Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus crassus
[Stout jawfish]

Photo by Menezes, N.A./Figueiredo, J.L.

Southwest Atlantic
Max. Length 11.4 cm SL
Opistognathus cuvierii Valenciennes, 1836

Photo by Photo by Menezes, N.A./Figueiredo, J.L.
 
Opistognathus cuvierii
[Bartail jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Indian Ocean
Max. Length 13 cm TL
Opistognathus cyanospilotus Smith-Vaniz, 2009

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus cyanospilotus
[Blueblotch jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 50 cm TL
Opistognathus darwiniensis Macleay, 1878

Photo by Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus darwiniensis
[Darwin jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 15.5 cm SL
 
Opistognathus decorus
[Tattooedj jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Western Central Pacific
Max. Length 28 cm TL
Opistognathus dendriticus (Jordan & Richardson, 1908)

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus dendriticus
[Dendtric jawfish]

Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.7 cm SL
Opistognathus dipharus Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB
 
Opistognathus dipharus
[Tail beacon jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 7.1 cm SL
 
Opistognathus elizabethensis
[Elizabeth reef jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 3.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus ensiferus
[Mannar jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 3.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus erdmanni
[Erdmann’s jawfish]

Photo by Shao, K.T.

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 11 cm TL
Opistognathus evermanni (Jordan & Snyder, 1902)

Photo by Photo by Shao, K.T.
 
Opistognathus evermanni
[Rainbow jawfish]

Photo by Brennan, L.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 28.5 cm SL
Opistognathus eximius (Ogilby, 1908)

Photo by Photo by Brennan, L.
 
Opistognathus eximius
[Harlequin smiler]
No picture found

Max. Length 27.1 cm TL
 
Opistognathus fenmutis
[]
No picture found

Max. Length 9.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus fossoris
[]

Photo by Robertson, R.

Southeast Pacific
Max. Length 16 cm TL
Opistognathus galapagensis Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Photo by Robertson, R.
 
Opistognathus galapagensis
[Galapagos jawfish]

Photo by Speed, B.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 6.4 cm SL
Opistognathus gilberti Böhlke, 1967

Photo by Photo by Speed, B.
 
Opistognathus gilberti
[Yellow jawfish]

Photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan

Western Pacific
Max. Length 14.2 cm SL
Opistognathus hongkongiensis Chan, 1968

Photo by Photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan
 
Opistognathus hongkongiensis
[]

Photo by Shao, K.T.

Northwest Pacific
Max. Length 10.7 cm TL
Opistognathus hopkinsi (Jordan & Snyder, 1902)

Photo by Photo by Shao, K.T.
 
Opistognathus hopkinsi
[]
No picture found

Max. Length 55 cm TL
 
Opistognathus inornatus
[Black jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 6 cm SL
 
Opistognathus iyonis
[]

Photo by Graham, K.

Western Pacific

Opistognathus jacksoniensis Macleay, 1881

Photo by Photo by Graham, K.
 
Opistognathus jacksoniensis
[Smiler]

Photo by CSIRO

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 30 cm TL
Opistognathus latitabundus (Whitley, 1937)

Photo by Photo by CSIRO
 
Opistognathus latitabundus
[Blotched jawfish]

Photo by Schroeder, J. R.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 8.1 cm SL
Opistognathus leprocarus Smith-Vaniz, 1997

Photo by Photo by Schroeder, J. R.
 
Opistognathus leprocarus
[Roughcheek jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 5.5 cm SL
 
Opistognathus liturus
[]

Photo by Gasparini, J.L.

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 12.2 cm SL
Opistognathus lonchurus Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

Photo by Photo by Gasparini, J.L.
 
Opistognathus lonchurus
[Moustache jawfish]

Photo by South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.1 cm SL
Opistognathus longinaris Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Photo by South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
 
Opistognathus longinaris
[Long nostril jawfish]

Photo by Fenner, R.

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 20 cm TL
Opistognathus macrognathus Poey, 1860

Photo by Photo by Fenner, R.
 
Opistognathus macrognathus
[Banded jawfish]
No picture found
 
Opistognathus macrolepis
[Bigscale jawfish]

Photo by SFSA

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 9.2 cm TL
Opistognathus margaretae Smith-Vaniz, 1983

Photo by Photo by SFSA
 
Opistognathus margaretae
[Halfscaled jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 13 cm TL
 
Opistognathus maxillosus
[Mottled jawfish]

Photo by Schroeder, J. R.

Western Central Atlantic

Opistognathus megalepis Smith-Vaniz, 1972

Photo by Photo by Schroeder, J. R.
 
Opistognathus megalepis
[Largesacle jawfish]

Photo by Schroeder, J. R. / Smith-Vaniz, W.F.

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus melachasme Smith-Vaniz, 1972

Photo by Photo by Schroeder, J. R. / Smith-Vaniz, W.F.
 
Opistognathus melachasme
[Yellowmouth jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 12 cm TL
Opistognathus mexicanus Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus mexicanus
[Mexican jawfish]

Photo by SFSA

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 45 cm TL
Opistognathus muscatensis Boulenger, 1888

Photo by Photo by SFSA
 
Opistognathus muscatensis
[Robust jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Indo-Pacific
Max. Length 18.6 cm TL
Opistognathus nigromarginatus Rüppell, 1830

Photo by Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus nigromarginatus
[Birdled jawfish]

Photo by Schroeder, J. R. / Smith-Vaniz, W.F.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 7.9 cm SL
Opistognathus nothus Smith-Vaniz, 1997

Photo by Photo by Schroeder, J. R. / Smith-Vaniz, W.F.
 
Opistognathus nothus
[]
No picture found

Max. Length 6.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus ocellicaudatus
[Eyespottail jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus panamaensis Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus panamaensis
[Panamanian jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Central Pacific
Max. Length 40 cm TL
Opistognathus papuensis Bleeker, 1868

Photo by Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus papuensis
[Papuan jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 9.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus pardus
[]

Photo by Tibbatts, B.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 40.6 cm TL
Opistognathus punctatus Peters, 1869

Photo by Photo by Tibbatts, B.
 
Opistognathus punctatus
[Finespotted jawfish]

Photo by Ryanskiy, A.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 10.9 cm SL
Opistognathus randalli Smith-Vaniz, 2009

Photo by Photo by Ryanskiy, A.
 
Opistognathus randalli
[Gold-specs jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 11.7 cm SL
 
Opistognathus reticeps
[Reticulated jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 50 cm TL
 
Opistognathus reticulatus
[Leopard jawfish]

Photo by Fenner, R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 51 cm TL
Opistognathus rhomaleus Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

Photo by Photo by Fenner, R.
 
Opistognathus rhomaleus
[Giant jawfish]

Photo by Marotta, D.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 13.1 cm SL
Opistognathus robinsi Smith-Vaniz, 1997

Photo by Photo by Marotta, D.
 
Opistognathus robinsi
[Spotfin jawfish]

Photo by Winterbottom, R.

Indo-West Pacific.
Max. Length 14 cm TL
Opistognathus rosenbergii Bleeker, 1856

Photo by Photo by Winterbottom, R.
 
Opistognathus rosenbergii
[Rosenberg's jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus rosenblatti Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus rosenblatti
[Blue-spotted jawfish]

Photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 7.9 cm TL
Opistognathus rufilineatus Smith-Vaniz & Allen, 2007

Photo by Photo by Erdmann, M.V.
 
Opistognathus rufilineatus
[Red-Lined Jawfish]

Photo by Randall, Z.S.

Caribbean
Max. Length 4.8 cm SL
Opistognathus schrieri Smith-Vaniz, 2017

Photo by Photo by Randall, Z.S.
 
Opistognathus schrieri
[Curaçao jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 12 cm TL
Opistognathus scops (Jenkins & Evermann, 1889)

Photo by Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus scops
[Bullseye jawfish]

Photo by Walsh, F.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 8.6 cm SL
Opistognathus seminudus Smith-Vaniz, 2004

Photo by Photo by Walsh, F.
 
Opistognathus seminudus
[Halfnaked jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 8.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus signatus
[]

Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 6.6 cm SL
Opistognathus simus Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB
 
Opistognathus simus
[Cargados jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 5.6 cm SL
 
Opistognathus smithvanizi
[]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 4.8 cm SL
Opistognathus solorensis Bleeker, 1853

Photo by Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus solorensis
[Solor jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 7.1 cm SL
 
Opistognathus stigmosus
[Coral sea jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 5.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus thionyi
[Thiony’s jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 7.2 cm SL
 
Opistognathus trimaculatus
[Threespot jawfish]

Photo by Ryanskiy, A.

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 9.6 cm SL
Opistognathus variabilis Smith-Vaniz, 2009

Photo by Photo by Ryanskiy, A.
 
Opistognathus variabilis
[Variable jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 5.3 cm SL
 
Opistognathus verecundus
[Bashful jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 4.7 cm SL
 
Opistognathus vicinus
[Brazilian dusky jawfish]
No picture found

Max. Length 11.7 cm SL
 
Opistognathus walkeri
[]

Photo by Macieira, R.M.

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 14 cm TL
Opistognathus whitehursti (Longley, 1927)

Photo by Photo by Macieira, R.M.
 
Opistognathus whitehursti
[Dusky jawfish]


Sort by: Species Length Year
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Scientific Name English Name Distribution Max. Length (cm) Year
Opistognathus adelus Obscure jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.9 SL 2010
Opistognathus afer African jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.1 SL 2010
Opistognathus albicaudatus Whitetail jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 9.5 SL 2011
Opistognathus albomaculatus Whitespotted jawfish Western Pacific 5.7 SL 2023
Opistognathus alleni Abrolhos jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 7.4 SL 2004
Opistognathus asper Ashmore jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 5.0 SL 2023
Opistognathus aurifrons Yellowhead jawfish Western Central Atlantic 10 TL 1905
Opistognathus aurolineatus Threestripe jawfish Western Pacific 22.4 SL 2023
Opistognathus bathyphilus Lansdowne jawfish Western Pacific 6.6 SL 2023
Opistognathus biporus Bipored jawfish Western Pacific 6.4 SL 2023
Opistognathus brasiliensis Darkfin jawfish Southwest Atlantic 12.9 SL 1997
Opistognathus brochus Eastern Pacific 5.4 SL 2003
Opistognathus castelnaui Castelnau's jawfish Indo-West Pacific 25 SL 1860
Opistognathus challenger Western Pacific 7.6 SL 2023
Opistognathus crassus Stout jawfish Western Indian Ocean 3.6 SL 2010
Opistognathus cuvierii Bartail jawfish Southwest Atlantic 11.4 SL 1836
Opistognathus cyanospilotus Blueblotch jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 13 TL 2009
Opistognathus darwiniensis Darwin jawfish Indo-West Pacific 50 TL 1878
Opistognathus decorus Tattooedj jawfish Western Pacific 15.5 SL 1985
Opistognathus dendriticus Dendtric jawfish Western Central Pacific 28 TL 1908
Opistognathus dipharus Tail beacon jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.7 SL 2010
Opistognathus elizabethensis Elizabeth reef jawfish Southwest Pacific 7.1 SL 2004
Opistognathus ensiferus Mannar jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 3.9 SL 2016
Opistognathus erdmanni Erdmann’s jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 3.9 SL 2023
Opistognathus evermanni Rainbow jawfish Indo-West Pacific 11 TL 1902
Opistognathus eximius Harlequin smiler Western Pacific 28.5 SL 1908
Opistognathus fenmutis Eastern Pacific 27.1 TL 1993
Opistognathus fossoris Eastern Pacific 9.4 SL 2003
Opistognathus galapagensis Galapagos jawfish Southeast Pacific 16 TL 1991
Opistognathus gilberti Yellow jawfish Western Central Atlantic 6.4 SL 1967
Opistognathus hongkongiensis Western Pacific 14.2 SL 1968
Opistognathus hopkinsi Northwest Pacific 10.7 TL 1902
Opistognathus inornatus Black jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 55 TL 1887
Opistognathus iyonis Northwest Pacific 6 SL 1913
Opistognathus jacksoniensis Smiler Western Pacific 1881
Opistognathus latitabundus Blotched jawfish Indo-West Pacific 30 TL 1937
Opistognathus leprocarus Roughcheek jawfish Western Central Atlantic 8.1 SL 1997
Opistognathus liturus Northwest Pacific 5.5 SL 1985
Opistognathus lonchurus Moustache jawfish Western Atlantic 12.2 SL 1882
Opistognathus longinaris Long nostril jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.1 SL 2010
Opistognathus macrognathus Banded jawfish Western Atlantic 20 TL 1860
Opistognathus macrolepis Bigscale jawfish Western Central Pacific. 1866
Opistognathus margaretae Halfscaled jawfish Western Indian Ocean 9.2 TL 1983
Opistognathus maxillosus Mottled jawfish Western Atlantic 13 TL 1860
Opistognathus megalepis Largesacle jawfish Western Central Atlantic 1972
Opistognathus melachasme Yellowmouth jawfish Western Atlantic 10 TL 1972
Opistognathus mexicanus Mexican jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 12 TL 1991
Opistognathus muscatensis Robust jawfish Western Indian Ocean 45 TL 1888
Opistognathus nigromarginatus Birdled jawfish Indo-Pacific 18.6 TL 1830
Opistognathus nothus Western Central Atlantic 7.9 SL 1997
Opistognathus ocellicaudatus Eyespottail jawfish Northwest Pacific 6.9 SL 2021
Opistognathus panamaensis Panamanian jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 10 TL 1991
Opistognathus papuensis Papuan jawfish Western Central Pacific 40 TL 1868
Opistognathus pardus Western Indian Ocean 9.9 SL 2012
Opistognathus punctatus Finespotted jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 40.6 TL 1869
Opistognathus randalli Gold-specs jawfish Western Pacific 10.9 SL 2009
Opistognathus reticeps Reticulated jawfish Western Pacific 11.7 SL 2004
Opistognathus reticulatus Leopard jawfish Indo-West Pacific 50 TL 1969
Opistognathus rhomaleus Giant jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 51 TL 1882
Opistognathus robinsi Spotfin jawfish Western Central Atlantic 13.1 SL 1997
Opistognathus rosenbergii Rosenberg's jawfish Indo-West Pacific. 14 TL 1856
Opistognathus rosenblatti Blue-spotted jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 10 TL 1991
Opistognathus rufilineatus Red-Lined Jawfish Western Pacific 7.9 TL 2007
Opistognathus schrieri Curaçao jawfish Caribbean 4.8 SL 2017
Opistognathus scops Bullseye jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 12 TL 1889
Opistognathus seminudus Halfnaked jawfish Western Pacific 8.6 SL 2004
Opistognathus signatus Western Central Atlantic 8.9 SL 1997
Opistognathus simus Cargados jawfish Western Indian Ocean 6.6 SL 2010
Opistognathus smithvanizi Eastern Central Pacific 5.6 SL 2003
Opistognathus solorensis Solor jawfish Western Pacific 4.8 SL 1853
Opistognathus stigmosus Coral sea jawfish Western Pacific 7.1 SL 2004
Opistognathus thionyi Thiony’s jawfish Southwest Atlantic 5.4 SL 2018
Opistognathus trimaculatus Threespot jawfish Northwest Pacific 7.2 SL 2013
Opistognathus variabilis Variable jawfish Indo-West Pacific 9.6 SL 2009
Opistognathus verecundus Bashful jawfish Western Pacific 5.3 SL 2004
Opistognathus vicinus Brazilian dusky jawfish Southwest Atlantic Ocean 4.7 SL 2018
Opistognathus walkeri Eastern Pacific 11.7 SL 2003
Opistognathus whitehursti Dusky jawfish Western Atlantic 14 TL 1927



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