Obscure jawfish

📖 Overview

Obscure jawfish (Opistognathus adelus), first described by Vaniz, 2010 is a tiny fish in the family Opistognathidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 4.90 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 5 to 65 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 13 - 14; Vertebrae: 27 - 28. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: upper jaw is broadly rounded with a large oval-shaped supramaxilla, and maxilla with a flexible lamina posteriorly, extending 1.0-1.2 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; D XI,13-14; dark blotch on posterior angle of jaws, including inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes; no ocellus or large dark blotches on dorsal fin; no vomerine teeth . Expanded diagnostics: infraorbitals relatively robust, 2nd and 3rd infraorbitals with large sensory canal openings, 3rd infraorbital with no suborbital shelf; A III, 13-14; vertebrae 10+17-18; scale rows in horizontal series about 40-41; gill raker 9+15-16 in adults (except 6+14 in two juveniles, 21.0-23.0 mm SL); posterior angle of jaws and adjacent membranes with a dark blotch that is visible externally; spinous dorsal fin with no anterior ocellus or dark blotches; pelvic and anal fins are dark, the latter with pale margin.: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Obscure jawfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 5 - 65 m . Tropical South Africa and northwest Madagascar.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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