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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Tropical 🎣 Game Fish

Giant jawfish

Opistognathus rhomaleus Jordan & Gilbert, 1882
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Max Length
51 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
26.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Inhabits sand-rubble bottoms. Feeds on benthic and planktonic invertebrates. Often caught by trawlers and anglers.

Scientific Name
Opistognathus rhomaleus
Authority
Jordan & Gilbert, 1882
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
51 cm
Trophic Level
3.5
Vulnerability
26.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Giant jawfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Giant 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. Tropical Central Pacific: Baja California, Gulf of California, the Revillegigedo Islands (Socorro), and NW side of Isla del Caño, Costa Rica.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.5±0.41
Food Items

benthic and planktonic invertebrates

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
51cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2007

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
26.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Giant jawfish ↗
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