Harlequin Smiler, Opistognathus eximius (Ogilby 1908)


A Harlequin Smiler, Opistognathus eximius, at Bundaberg, Queensland, March 2015. Source: @Glenn / https://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/harlequin-smiler/2822. License: CC By Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Summary:
A golden-yellow jawfish becoming mostly blue below with yellow spots and markings, a conspicuous dark blue blotch on the gill cover, and blue and yellow spots, stripes and bands on the fins.

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2023, Opistognathus eximius in Fishes of Australia, accessed 28 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4477

Harlequin Smiler, Opistognathus eximius (Ogilby 1908)

More Info


Distribution

Endemic to eastern Australia, from North West Islet to Moreton Bay, Queensland. Contructs burrows in sandy areas.

Features

Dorsal fin XI,13; Anal fin II,12; Pectoral fin 19-21; Caudal fin segmented rays 8+8, branched rays 12-14, procurrent rays 3-5 + 4, total 23-25; Vertebrae 10+16.

Biology

The eggs, which are clumped together in a sticky egg ball, are incubated in the mouth of the parent.

Etymology

The specific name is from the Latin eximius (= select, set apart, distinguished, excellent) in reference to what Ogilby aptly described as "being arrayed in a livery of most gorgeous splendor.”

Species Citation

Merogymnus eximius Ogilby 1908, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 21: 18. Type locality: Snapper Banks off Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Author

Bray, D.J. 2023

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Harlequin Smiler, Opistognathus eximius (Ogilby 1908)

References


Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. 

Johnson, J.W. 1999. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 709-762 See ref at BHL

Mooi, R.D. 1990. Egg surface morphology of pseudochromoids (Perciformes: Percoidei), with comments on its phylogenetic implications. Copeia 1990(2):455-475. https://doi.org/10.2307/1446351

Ogilby, J.D. 1908. On new genera and species of fishes. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 21: 1-26 See ref at BHL

Ogilby, J.D. 1920. Edible fishes of Queensland. Part XVI. Opisthognathidae (No. 1). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 7(1): 21-30 See ref at BHL

Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1999. Family Opistognathidae. pp. 2588-2589 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 4 pp. 2069-2790. 

Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 2004. Descriptions of Six New Species of Jawfishes (Opistognathidae: Opistognathus) from Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 56: 209-224 https://doi.org/10.3853/j.0067-1975.56.2004.1422 (as Opistognathus eximus)

Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 2023. Review of Indo-West Pacific jawfishes (Opistognathus: Opistognathidae), with descriptions of 18 new species. Zootaxa 5252(1): 1-180.  https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5252.1.1

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37388004

Biology:Mouthbrooder

Depth:1-150 m

Habitat:Reef associated, in burrows

Max Size:40 cm TL

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Species Maps

CAAB distribution map