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Ovalentaria/misc (Various families in series Ovalentaria) >
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Etymology: Opistognathus: Greek, opisthe = behind + Greek, gnathos = jaw (Ref. 45335); to the very elongate upper jaw of the type species of the genus, Opistognathus nigromarginatus (Ref. 128653); randalli: Named for Dr. John E. Randall.
Eponymy: Dr John ‘Jack’ Ernest Randall Jr. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 5 - 32 m (Ref. 81517). Tropical
Western Pacific: Indonesia, eastern Borneo and the Philippines.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81517); 10.9 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 28. This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongate supramaxilla and posterior end of maxilla produced as a thin flexible lamina; a single conspicuous black stripe at inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes; dorsal, anal and caudal fins with narrow, pale (blue in life) distal margins; when alive, dorsal portion of iris golden; lateral-line terminus below verticals between segmented dorsal-fin rays 1 to 4, typically below second to third ray; caudal vertebrae 18 (Ref. 81517).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Males of this species are strongly territorial and frequently engage in jaw locking combat, apparently to evict rivals or confiscate their burrows (Ref. 81517). Found in sand/rubble bottoms near reefs in about 5-30 m (Ref 90102).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 2009. Three new species of Indo-Pacific jawfishes (Opistognathus: Opistognathidae), with the posterior end of the upper jaw produced as a thin flexible lamina. aqua, Int. J. Ichthyol. 15(2):69-108. (Ref. 81517)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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