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Ovalentaria/misc (Various families in series Ovalentaria) >
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Etymology: Opistognathus: Greek, opisthe = behind + Greek, gnathos = jaw (Ref. 45335); to the very elongate upper jaw of the type species of the genus, Opistognathus nigromarginatus (Ref. 128653); stigmosus: Name from Latin 'stigmosus' for full of marks, referring to the conspicuous, small dark spots on the head of this species..
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 20 - 29 m (Ref. 76827). Tropical
Western Pacific: Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.1 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 76827)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 18; Vertebrae: 33. This species is characterized by the following: D X,19; about 38-45 oblique scale rows in longitudinal series on the body; no scales anterolaterally forward of verticals from 5th to 7th dorsal-fin spines; longitudinal row of 7 or 8 large white spots on both sides of the lower half of the body, the largest with a dark brown border and covered by appressed pectoral fin; no vomerine teeth (Ref. 76827).
Benthic species which occurs inshore; inhabits coral reef (Ref. 75154).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 2004. Descriptions of six new species of jawfishes (Opistognathidae: Opistognathus) from Australia. Rec. Aust. Mus. 56:209-224. (Ref. 76827)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 26.1 - 26.4, mean 26.2 °C (based on 7 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00389 (0.00180 - 0.00842), b=3.12 (2.94 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).