OPISTOGNATHIDAE


Opistognathus nigromarginatus, 6.4 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Opistognathus nigromarginatus
Rüppell, 1830
Birdled Jawfish

D XI, 14-15; A III, 14-15; P1 19-21; P2 I, 5; LR 68-88; GR 13-17 + 23-29.

Body elongate, body depth 4.1-4.7 in SL. Maxilla widest at midlength, then slanting upward and tapering to reach or extend beyond opercular margin. Color: body whitish with irregular dark brown markings. Dorsal fin grayish with small irregular bluish white spots and a large blackish spot between fourth and eighth spines. Size: maximum length 18.6 cm SL. Distribution: distributed from east coast of Africa east to Vietnam. Remarks: inhabiting burrows in shallow coastal waters.(Hiroyuki Motomura)