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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🌡️ Subtropical

Blackfin jawfish

Opistognathus nigripinnis Vaniz, 2023
Max Length
3.4 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Blackfin jawfish (Opistognathus nigripinnis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Opistognathidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 3.4 cm. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Opistognathus nigripinnis
Authority
Vaniz, 2023
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
3.4 cm
Trophic Level
3.2
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 13; Vertebrae: 28. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: rigid upper jaw with no flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 1.0 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; D XI, 13; A II, 13; vertebrae 10+18; body with about 39 or 40 scale rows in horizontal series; total gill rakers on first arch 26; dorsal fin uniformly peppered with fine melanophores including a dark spot between spines 3-6; in life, background of body tan, sides with 5 or 6 narrow white zig-zag bands, anal and pelvic fins uniformly peppered with fine melanophores and caudal fin yellow .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blackfin jawfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 16 m . Subtropical Northwest Pacific: Japan.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.2±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
3.4cm
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
13
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
13
Vertebrae
28

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2024

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Vaniz, 2023

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