Robust jawfish (Opistognathus muscatensis)

Scientific name: Opistognathus muscatensis Boulenger, 1888

The Robust jawfish (Opistognathus muscatensis) is a marine fish of the family Opistognathidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 18–24°C (64–75°F). Native range: Western Indian Ocean, Durban, South Africa to the Persian Gulf, including Mah? Island, Seychelles.

Robust jawfish care at a glance

Temperature: 18–24°C (64–75°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15. This species is distinguished by the following characters: short supramaxilla and mostly rigid maxilla with only a slight flexible lamina posteriorly; an ocellated spot on the dorsal fin, between third or fourth and eighth spines followed by two large, irregular, dark blotches that extend onto body, and a blackish streak on cheek bordering upper edge of maxilla; outermost segmented pelvic-fin ray is tightly bound to adjacent ray, with interradial membrane not incised distally or only slightly at tip (vs. interradial membrane deeply incised in all other Indo-Pacific Opistognathus. Black spot between 3rd and 8th dorsal fin spines, fin also with 2 large blotches that extend onto body; body and dorsal fin with spots and blotches bordered with pale blue.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Opistognathus muscatensis
Family: Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 15–50 m (49–164 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 15 - 50 m, usually 30 - 50 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: Durban, South Africa to the Persian Gulf, including Mah? Island, Seychelles.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial