Chinstrap jawfish

📖 Overview

Chinstrap jawfish (Opistognathus wassi) 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 6.2 cm. It occurs at depths between 6 and 52 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): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11; Vertebrae: 25 - 26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: rigid upper jaw with no flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.5 to 0.9 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals slender and tubular, 3rd infraorbital without wide sensory canal openings, no suborbital shelf; D X-XI, 10-12, typically 11; A II, 10-11, typically 10; vertebrae 10+16, exceptionally 15; body with 51-62 scale rows in horizontal series; total gill rakers usually 33-37; chin with a conspicuous black band; dorsal fin with a prominent ocellus with inner dark spot beginning at spines 3 or 4 and ending at spines 5 to 8; double row of large pale spots on the side of body .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Chinstrap jawfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Chinstrap jawfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Chinstrap jawfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 6 - 52 m . Tropical West Pacific: Japan, Philippines, Brunei, Palau, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Australia, Fiji, American Samoa.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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