Threespot jawfish
📖 Overview
Threespot jawfish (Opistognathus trimaculatus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Opistognathidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in reef-associated environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7.2 cm. It occurs at depths between 120 and 250 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): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 10; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: a rigid upper jaw lacking a flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.7 eye diameter behind posterior margin of orbit; D XI-XII,10; A II,10; vertebrae 10+16; body with about 47-50 scale rows in horizontal series; gill rakers 11-13 + 21-23 = 34; the dorsal fin with 4 dark blotches on proximal half to two-thirds of fin that are superimposed on a light brown stripe extending entire length of fin, the first blotch between bases of dorsal-fin spines 2-3 or 4-5 is small and faint in contrast to the other three which are much larger, darker and oval; when alive, anterior half of caudal fin with broad white band and posterior half yellow .Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Threespot jawfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 120 - 250 m . Subtropical Northwest Pacific: Japan.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Threespot jawfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.