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Spotfin jawfish (Opistognathus robinsi) — Opistognathidae

Spotfin jawfish

Opistognathus robinsi
NE · Not Evaluated

The Spotfin jawfish (Opistognathus robinsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Opistognathidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–46.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spotfin jawfish is a jawfish from the western Atlantic, from Florida to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a large, broad mouth apparatus and large eyes. With its mouth it digs a vertical burrow in sandy and gravelly bottoms, which it reinforces with pebbles, and watches its surroundings from the opening. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotfin jawfish?

The Spotfin jawfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Spotfin jawfish live?

The Spotfin jawfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spotfin jawfish get?

The Spotfin jawfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Spotfin jawfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotfin jawfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotfin jawfish edible?

The Spotfin jawfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spotvin-kaakvis verified
English name
Spotfin jawfish verified
Scientific name
Opistognathus robinsi
Family
Opistognathidae
Other names
Spotfin jawfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
46.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Opistognathus

More from the family Opistognathidae

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