Mannar jawfish
📖 Overview
Mannar jawfish (Opistognathus ensiferus), first described by Vaniz, 2016 is a tiny fish in the family Opistognathidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 3.90 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 0 to 1 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14; Vertebrae: 28. This species is distinguished by the following characters: with an elongate supramaxilla and maxilla with flexible lamina posteriorly, widest before end and sword-shaped in adult males, extending to rear margin of opercle (2.2 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit); D XI,14; A III,14; vertebrae 10 + 18; scale rows in horizontal series about 48-52; the lateral-line terminus ending below segmented rays 6-7. Colouration: spinous dorsal fin with large ocellus between spines 3-6; the inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes with a single dark stripe; unpigmented area above and below esophageal opening .Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mannar jawfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 1 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: India.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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