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Bullseye jawfish (Opistognathus scops) — Opistognathidae

Bullseye jawfish

Opistognathus scops

The Bullseye jawfish (Opistognathus scops) is a saltwater fish of the family Opistognathidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Bullseye jawfish is a jawfish (Opistognathidae) from shallow sand and rubble water of the eastern Pacific, in the Gulf of California. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, pale body with large eyes and a very large mouth. Characteristically it uses its mouth to build a burrow in the soft bottom, reinforces it with pebbles and hovers upright above it; when in danger it dives in. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. It snaps at passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bullseye jawfish?

The Bullseye jawfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bullseye jawfish live?

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

How big does the Bullseye jawfish get?

The Bullseye jawfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Bullseye jawfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bullseye jawfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bullseye jawfish edible?

Yes, the Bullseye jawfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Uil-kaakvis sourced
English name
Bullseye jawfish sourced
Scientific name
Opistognathus scops
Family
Opistognathidae
Other names
Bullseye jawfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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