Roughcheek jawfish

📖 Overview

Roughcheek jawfish (Opistognathus leprocarus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Opistognathidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 8.1 cm. It occurs at depths between 165 and 308 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 26. Anterior nostril a short tube without cirrus on posterior rim; posterior end of maxilla rigid, without thin flexible lamina; opercle with prominent wedge-shaped dark blotch; buccal cavity and inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes immaculate; dorsal fin spines slender, straight, with rigid sharp tip; nape completely scaled; cheeks with 4 or 5 rows of scales; segmented anal fin rays 11 or 12; caudal vertebrae 16; pelvic fins elongate in adults 39-49% SL with tip of depressed fin extending posteriorly well past anal fin origin .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Roughcheek jawfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 165 - 308 m . Deep-water Central Atlantic: known only from the Bahamas and the Lesser Antilles, including Anegada Passage, between Virgin Islands and Anguilla (ANSP 138563).

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

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