Dusky jawfish (Opistognathus whitehursti)

Scientific name: Opistognathus whitehursti Longley, 1927

The Dusky jawfish (Opistognathus whitehursti) is a marine fish of the family Opistognathidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to northern South America.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 13 - 14. The dark spot (deep greenish blue in life) of the dorsal fin usually found between the 2nd and 4th or 5th dorsal spines; body densely mottled with dark brown and flecked with blackish; caudal fin and posterior part of dorsal fin are yellow with rows of small blackish spots.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Opistognathus whitehursti
Family: Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 14.0
Depth range: 1–12 m (3–39 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 12 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to northern South America.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial