Bashful jawfish (Opistognathus verecundus)

Scientific name: Opistognathus verecundus Smith-Vaniz, 2004

The Bashful jawfish (Opistognathus verecundus) is a marine fish of the family Opistognathidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Australia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15; Vertebrae: 28. This species is distinct with having D X-XI, 14 or 15 (typically XI, 14); upper jaw sexually dimorphic with flexible lamina posteriorly, end of maxilla slightly rounded in females becoming increasingly elongate and scimitar-shaped in adult males; 39-54 oblique scale rows in longitudinal series; 23-26 total gill-rakers on first arch; a single brownish spot, if present, between spines 2-4 of spinous dorsal fin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Opistognathus verecundus
Family
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
5.3
Depth range
5–6 m (16–20 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 6 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Pacific: Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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