Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
Max. size: |
7.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 120 - 250 m |
Distribution: |
Northwest Pacific: Japan. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 10-10; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: a rigid upper jaw lacking a flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.7 eye diameter behind posterior margin of orbit; D XI-XII,10; A II,10; vertebrae 10+16; body with about 47-50 scale rows in horizontal series; gill rakers 11-13 + 21-23 = 34; the dorsal fin with 4 dark blotches on proximal half to two-thirds of fin that are superimposed on a light brown stripe extending entire length of fin, the first blotch between bases of dorsal-fin spines 2-3 or 4-5 is small and faint in contrast to the other three which are much larger, darker and oval; when alive, anterior half of caudal fin with broad white band and posterior half yellow (Ref. 128653). |
Biology: |
|
IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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