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Fish Identification: Find Species


Family: Opistognathidae Jawfishes



(See list of species below)


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80 species (see list below)

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Photo by JAMARC

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 13.5 cm TL
Lonchopisthus higmani Mead, 1959

Photo by JAMARC
 
Lonchopisthus higmani
[]

Photo by Fischer, L.G.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 10.3 cm TL
Lonchopisthus lemur (Myers, 1935)

Photo by Fischer, L.G.
 
Lonchopisthus lemur
[]

Photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 17.8 cm TL
Lonchopisthus micrognathus (Poey, 1860)

Photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory
 
Lonchopisthus micrognathus
[Swordtail jawfish]

Photo by Béarez, P.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 30 cm TL
Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus Castro-Aguirre & Villavicencio-Garayzar, 1988

Photo by Béarez, P.
 
Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus
[Longtailed jawfish]
No picture found
Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus adelus
[Obscure jawfish]

Photo by Heemstra, P.C./SAIAB

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.1 cm SL
Opistognathus afer Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Heemstra, P.C./SAIAB
 
Opistognathus afer
[African jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Opistognathus albicaud
Max. Length 9.5 cm SL
Opistognathus albicaudatus Smith-Vaniz, 2011

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus albicaudatus
[Whitetail jawfish]
No picture found
Eastern Indian Ocean
Max. Length 7.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus alleni
[Abrolhos jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus aurifrons (Jordan & Thompson, 1905)

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus aurifrons
[Yellowhead jawfish]
No picture found
Southwest Atlantic
Max. Length 12.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus brasiliensis
[Darkfin jawfish]
No picture found
Eastern Pacific
Max. Length 5.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus brochus
[]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 25 cm SL
Opistognathus castelnaui Bleeker, 1860

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus castelnaui
[Castelnau's jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 3.6 cm SL
Opistognathus crassus Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus crassus
[Stout jawfish]

Photo by Menezes, N.A./Figueiredo, J.L.

Southwest Atlantic
Max. Length 11.4 cm SL
Opistognathus cuvierii Valenciennes, 1836

Photo by Menezes, N.A./Figueiredo, J.L.
 
Opistognathus cuvierii
[Bartail jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Indian Ocean
Max. Length 13 cm TL
Opistognathus cyanospilotus Smith-Vaniz, 2009

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus cyanospilotus
[Blueblotch jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 50 cm TL
Opistognathus darwiniensis Macleay, 1878

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus darwiniensis
[Darwin jawfish]
No picture found
Northwest Pacific
Max. Length 15.0 cm SL
 
Opistognathus decorus
[]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Western Central Pacific.
Max. Length 28 cm TL
Opistognathus dendriticus (Jordan & Richardson, 1908)

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus dendriticus
[Dendtric jawfish]

Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.7 cm SL
Opistognathus dipharus Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB
 
Opistognathus dipharus
[Tail beacon jawfish]
No picture found
Southwestern Pacific
Max. Length 7.1 cm SL
 
Opistognathus elizabethensis
[Elizabeth reef jawfish]

Photo by Shao, K.T.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 11 cm TL
Opistognathus evermanni (Jordan & Snyder, 1902)

Photo by Shao, K.T.
 
Opistognathus evermanni
[]

Photo by Brennan, L.

Western Central Pacific.

Opistognathus eximius (Ogilby, 1908)

Photo by Brennan, L.
 
Opistognathus eximius
[Harlequin smiler]
No picture found
Eastern Pacific
Max. Length 27.1 cm TL
 
Opistognathus fenmutis
[]
No picture found
Eastern Pacific
Max. Length 9.4 cm SL
 
Opistognathus fossoris
[]

Photo by Robertson, R.

Southeast Pacific
Max. Length 16 cm TL
Opistognathus galapagensis Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Robertson, R.
 
Opistognathus galapagensis
[Galapagos jawfish]

Photo by Christie, B.L.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 6.4 cm SL
Opistognathus gilberti Böhlke, 1967

Photo by Christie, B.L.
 
Opistognathus gilberti
[Yellow jawfish]

Photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan

Western Pacific

Opistognathus hongkongiensis Chan, 1968

Photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan
 
Opistognathus hongkongiensis
[]

Photo by Shao, K.T.

Northwest Pacific
Max. Length 10.7 cm TL
Opistognathus hopkinsi (Jordan & Snyder, 1902)

Photo by Shao, K.T.
 
Opistognathus hopkinsi
[]
No picture found
Eastern Indian Ocean
Max. Length 55 cm TL
 
Opistognathus inornatus
[Black jawfish]
No picture found
Northwest Pacific
Max. Length 6 cm SL
 
Opistognathus iyonis
[]
No picture found
Western Pacific
 
Opistognathus jacksoniensis
[Smiler]

Photo by CSIRO

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 30 cm TL
Opistognathus latitabundus (Whitley, 1937)

Photo by CSIRO
 
Opistognathus latitabundus
[Blotched jawfish]
No picture found
Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 8.1 cm SL
 
Opistognathus leprocarus
[Roughcheek jawfish]
No picture found
Northwest Pacific
Max. Length 5.5 cm SL
 
Opistognathus liturus
[]

Photo by Gasparini, J.L.

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus lonchurus Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

Photo by Gasparini, J.L.
 
Opistognathus lonchurus
[Moustache jawfish]

Photo by South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.1 cm SL
Opistognathus longinaris Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
 
Opistognathus longinaris
[Long nostril jawfish]

Photo by Fenner, R.

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 20 cm TL
Opistognathus macrognathus Poey, 1860

Photo by Fenner, R.
 
Opistognathus macrognathus
[Banded jawfish]
No picture found
Western Central Pacific.
 
Opistognathus macrolepis
[Bigscale jawfish]

Photo by SFSA

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 9.2 cm TL
Opistognathus margaretae Smith-Vaniz, 1983

Photo by SFSA
 
Opistognathus margaretae
[Halfscaled jawfish]
No picture found
Western Atlantic
Max. Length 13 cm TL
 
Opistognathus maxillosus
[Mottled jawfish]
No picture found
Western Central Atlantic
 
Opistognathus megalepis
[Largesacle jawfish]
No picture found
Western Atlantic
Max. Length 10 cm TL
 
Opistognathus melachasme
[Yellowmouth jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 12 cm TL
Opistognathus mexicanus Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus mexicanus
[Mexican jawfish]

Photo by SFSA

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 45 cm TL
Opistognathus muscatensis Boulenger, 1888

Photo by SFSA
 
Opistognathus muscatensis
[Robust jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Indo-Pacific
Max. Length 18.6 cm TL
Opistognathus nigromarginatus Rüppell, 1830

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus nigromarginatus
[Birdled jawfish]
No picture found
Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 7.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus nothus
[]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus panamaensis Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus panamaensis
[Panamanian jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Central Pacific
Max. Length 40 cm TL
Opistognathus papuensis Bleeker, 1868

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus papuensis
[Papuan jawfish]
No picture found
Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 9.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus pardus
[]
No picture found
Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 40.6 cm TL
 
Opistognathus punctatus
[Finespotted jawfish]

Photo by Ryanskiy, A.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 10.9 cm SL
Opistognathus randalli Smith-Vaniz, 2009

Photo by Ryanskiy, A.
 
Opistognathus randalli
[Gold-specs jawfish]
No picture found
Western Pacific
Max. Length 11.7 cm SL
 
Opistognathus reticeps
[Reticulated jawfish]
No picture found
Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 50 cm TL
 
Opistognathus reticulatus
[Leopard jawfish]

Photo by Fenner, R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 51 cm TL
Opistognathus rhomaleus Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

Photo by Fenner, R.
 
Opistognathus rhomaleus
[Giant jawfish]

Photo by Marotta, D.

Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 13.1 cm SL
Opistognathus robinsi Smith-Vaniz, 1997

Photo by Marotta, D.
 
Opistognathus robinsi
[Spotfin jawfish]

Photo by Winterbottom, R.

Indo-West Pacific.
Max. Length 14 cm TL
Opistognathus rosenbergii Bleeker, 1856

Photo by Winterbottom, R.
 
Opistognathus rosenbergii
[Rosenberg's jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 10 cm TL
Opistognathus rosenblatti Allen & Robertson, 1991

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus rosenblatti
[Blue-spotted jawfish]

Photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 7.9 cm TL
Opistognathus rufilineatus Smith-Vaniz & Allen, 2007

Photo by Erdmann, M.V.
 
Opistognathus rufilineatus
[Red-Lined Jawfish]

Photo by Allen, G.R.

Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 12 cm TL
Opistognathus scops (Jenkins & Evermann, 1889)

Photo by Allen, G.R.
 
Opistognathus scops
[Bullseye jawfish]

Photo by Walsh, F.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 8.6 cm SL
Opistognathus seminudus Smith-Vaniz, 2004

Photo by Walsh, F.
 
Opistognathus seminudus
[Halfnaked jawfish]
No picture found
Western Central Atlantic
Max. Length 8.9 cm SL
 
Opistognathus signatus
[]

Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB

Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 6.6 cm SL
Opistognathus simus Smith-Vaniz, 2010

Photo by Smith-Vaniz, W.F./SAIAB
 
Opistognathus simus
[Cargados jawfish]
No picture found
Eastern Central Pacific
Max. Length 5.6 cm SL
 
Opistognathus smithvanizi
[]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Pacific
Max. Length 4.8 cm SL
Opistognathus solorensis Bleeker, 1853

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Opistognathus solorensis
[Solor jawfish]
No picture found
Western Pacific
Max. Length 7.1 cm SL
 
Opistognathus stigmosus
[Coral sea jawfish]

Photo by Ryanskiy, A.

Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 9.6 cm SL
Opistognathus variabilis Smith-Vaniz, 2009

Photo by Ryanskiy, A.
 
Opistognathus variabilis
[Variable jawfish]
No picture found
Western Pacific
Max. Length 5.3 cm SL
 
Opistognathus verecundus
[Bashful jawfish]
No picture found
Eastern Pacific
Max. Length 11.7 cm SL
 
Opistognathus walkeri
[]

Photo by Macieira, R.M.

Western Atlantic
Max. Length 14 cm TL
Opistognathus whitehursti (Longley, 1927)

Photo by Macieira, R.M.
 
Opistognathus whitehursti
[Dusky jawfish]

Photo by Shen, D.

Western Indian Ocean

Stalix davidsheni Klausewitz, 1985

Photo by Shen, D.
 
Stalix davidsheni
[]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Central Pacific.
Max. Length 3.9 cm SL
Stalix dicra Smith-Vaniz, 1989

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Stalix dicra
[Forked jawfish]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Central Pacific.
Max. Length 3.4 cm SL
Stalix eremia Smith-Vaniz, 1989

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Stalix eremia
[Solitary jawfish]
No picture found
Eastern Indian Ocean
 
Stalix flavida
[]
No picture found
Indo-West Pacific
Max. Length 3 cm SL
 
Stalix histrio
[Harlequin jawfish]

Photo by Okamoto, M.

Western Pacific.

Stalix immaculata Xu & Zhan, 1980

Photo by Okamoto, M.
 
Stalix immaculata
[]
No picture found
Western Central Pacific.
Max. Length 7.2 cm TL
 
Stalix moenensis
[Muna jawfish]
No picture found
Western Indian Ocean
Max. Length 4.2 cm TL
 
Stalix omanensis
[Oman jawfish]

Photo by Shao, K.T.

Western Pacific

Stalix sheni Smith-Vaniz, 1989

Photo by Shao, K.T.
 
Stalix sheni
[]
No picture found
Northwest Pacific
Max. Length 4.3 cm SL
 
Stalix toyoshio
[]

Photo by Randall, J.E.

Western Central Pacific.
Max. Length 3.8 cm SL
Stalix versluysi (Weber, 1913)

Photo by Randall, J.E.
 
Stalix versluysi
[Versluys' jawfish]
80 Species of Family Opistognathidae
(Jawfishes)
Sort by: Species Length Year
1 of 1 Jump to:
Year Scientific Name English Name Distribution Max. Length (cm)
1959 Lonchopisthus higmani Western Atlantic 13.5 TL
1935 Lonchopisthus lemur Western Central Atlantic 10.3 TL
1860 Lonchopisthus micrognathus Swordtail jawfish Western Central Atlantic 17.8 TL
1988 Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus Longtailed jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 30 TL
2010 Opistognathus adelus Obscure jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.9 SL
2010 Opistognathus afer African jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.1 SL
2011 Opistognathus albicaudatus Whitetail jawfish Opistognathus albicaud 9.5 SL
2004 Opistognathus alleni Abrolhos jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 7.4 SL
1905 Opistognathus aurifrons Yellowhead jawfish Western Central Atlantic 10 TL
1997 Opistognathus brasiliensis Darkfin jawfish Southwest Atlantic 12.9 SL
2003 Opistognathus brochus Eastern Pacific 5.4 SL
1860 Opistognathus castelnaui Castelnau's jawfish Indo-West Pacific 25 SL
2010 Opistognathus crassus Stout jawfish Western Indian Ocean 3.6 SL
1836 Opistognathus cuvierii Bartail jawfish Southwest Atlantic 11.4 SL
2009 Opistognathus cyanospilotus Blueblotch jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 13 TL
1878 Opistognathus darwiniensis Darwin jawfish Indo-West Pacific 50 TL
1985 Opistognathus decorus Northwest Pacific 15.0 SL
1908 Opistognathus dendriticus Dendtric jawfish Western Central Pacific. 28 TL
2010 Opistognathus dipharus Tail beacon jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.7 SL
2004 Opistognathus elizabethensis Elizabeth reef jawfish Southwestern Pacific 7.1 SL
1902 Opistognathus evermanni Western Pacific 11 TL
1908 Opistognathus eximius Harlequin smiler Western Central Pacific.
1993 Opistognathus fenmutis Eastern Pacific 27.1 TL
2003 Opistognathus fossoris Eastern Pacific 9.4 SL
1991 Opistognathus galapagensis Galapagos jawfish Southeast Pacific 16 TL
1967 Opistognathus gilberti Yellow jawfish Western Central Atlantic 6.4 SL
1968 Opistognathus hongkongiensis Western Pacific
1902 Opistognathus hopkinsi Northwest Pacific 10.7 TL
1887 Opistognathus inornatus Black jawfish Eastern Indian Ocean 55 TL
1913 Opistognathus iyonis Northwest Pacific 6 SL
1881 Opistognathus jacksoniensis Smiler Western Pacific
1937 Opistognathus latitabundus Blotched jawfish Indo-West Pacific 30 TL
1997 Opistognathus leprocarus Roughcheek jawfish Western Central Atlantic 8.1 SL
1985 Opistognathus liturus Northwest Pacific 5.5 SL
1882 Opistognathus lonchurus Moustache jawfish Western Atlantic 10 TL
2010 Opistognathus longinaris Long nostril jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.1 SL
1860 Opistognathus macrognathus Banded jawfish Western Atlantic 20 TL
1866 Opistognathus macrolepis Bigscale jawfish Western Central Pacific.
1983 Opistognathus margaretae Halfscaled jawfish Western Indian Ocean 9.2 TL
1860 Opistognathus maxillosus Mottled jawfish Western Atlantic 13 TL
1972 Opistognathus megalepis Largesacle jawfish Western Central Atlantic
1972 Opistognathus melachasme Yellowmouth jawfish Western Atlantic 10 TL
1991 Opistognathus mexicanus Mexican jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 12 TL
1888 Opistognathus muscatensis Robust jawfish Western Indian Ocean 45 TL
1830 Opistognathus nigromarginatus Birdled jawfish Indo-Pacific 18.6 TL
1997 Opistognathus nothus Western Central Atlantic 7.9 SL
1991 Opistognathus panamaensis Panamanian jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 10 TL
1868 Opistognathus papuensis Papuan jawfish Western Central Pacific 40 TL
2012 Opistognathus pardus Western Indian Ocean 9.9 SL
1869 Opistognathus punctatus Finespotted jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 40.6 TL
2009 Opistognathus randalli Gold-specs jawfish Western Pacific 10.9 SL
2004 Opistognathus reticeps Reticulated jawfish Western Pacific 11.7 SL
1969 Opistognathus reticulatus Leopard jawfish Indo-West Pacific 50 TL
1882 Opistognathus rhomaleus Giant jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 51 TL
1997 Opistognathus robinsi Spotfin jawfish Western Central Atlantic 13.1 SL
1856 Opistognathus rosenbergii Rosenberg's jawfish Indo-West Pacific. 14 TL
1991 Opistognathus rosenblatti Blue-spotted jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 10 TL
2007 Opistognathus rufilineatus Red-Lined Jawfish Western Pacific 7.9 TL
1889 Opistognathus scops Bullseye jawfish Eastern Central Pacific 12 TL
2004 Opistognathus seminudus Halfnaked jawfish Western Pacific 8.6 SL
1997 Opistognathus signatus Western Central Atlantic 8.9 SL
2010 Opistognathus simus Cargados jawfish Western Indian Ocean 6.6 SL
2003 Opistognathus smithvanizi Eastern Central Pacific 5.6 SL
1853 Opistognathus solorensis Solor jawfish Western Pacific 4.8 SL
2004 Opistognathus stigmosus Coral sea jawfish Western Pacific 7.1 SL
2009 Opistognathus variabilis Variable jawfish Indo-West Pacific 9.6 SL
2004 Opistognathus verecundus Bashful jawfish Western Pacific 5.3 SL
2003 Opistognathus walkeri Eastern Pacific 11.7 SL
1927 Opistognathus whitehursti Dusky jawfish Western Atlantic 14 TL
1985 Stalix davidsheni Western Indian Ocean
1989 Stalix dicra Forked jawfish Western Central Pacific. 3.9 SL
1989 Stalix eremia Solitary jawfish Western Central Pacific. 3.4 SL
1989 Stalix flavida Eastern Indian Ocean
1902 Stalix histrio Harlequin jawfish Indo-West Pacific 3 SL
1980 Stalix immaculata Western Pacific.
1922 Stalix moenensis Muna jawfish Western Central Pacific. 7.2 TL
1939 Stalix omanensis Oman jawfish Western Indian Ocean 4.2 TL
1989 Stalix sheni Western Pacific
1999 Stalix toyoshio Northwest Pacific 4.3 SL
1913 Stalix versluysi Versluys' jawfish Western Central Pacific. 3.8 SL



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cfm script by eagbayani, 30.11.04, ,  php script by cmilitante, 05/11/2010 ,  last modified by cmilitante, 14/03/2013