- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PERCIFORMES
- OPISTOGNATHIDAE
- Opistognathus
- jacksoniensis
Southern Smiler, Opistognathus jacksoniensis Macleay 1881
Other Names: Smiler
A Southern Smiler, Opistognathus jacksoniensis, at North West Solitary Island, December 2006. Source: Ian Shaw / iNaturalist.org. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial
Summary:
A slender pale brown to yellow jawfish with irregular dark brown reticulations on the head and upper side, a dark wavy mid-lateral band, orange blotches in the corner of the mouth, a yellowish pectoral fin, and a dark brown floor to the mouth beside the tongue.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Opistognathus jacksoniensis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 08 Dec 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/3491
Southern Smiler, Opistognathus jacksoniensis Macleay 1881
More Info
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Distribution |
Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, to Sydney, New South Wales. Inhabits burrows in sandy and rubble areas near reefs. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin X,16-18; oblique scale rows in longitudinal series ~80-99; lateral line single, positioned dorsally. |
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Colour |
Ground-color varying from rich light brown to lemon yellow, the upper surface and sides of the trunk broadly reticulated with chocolate brown, a wavy median band, which is sometimes black, being always present ; throat, breast, and belly immaculate; tail with a few irregular brown spots and wavy lines, each scale with a brown central dot. Upper surface and sides of head profusely dotted and pencilled with brown; inner posterior edges of maxillary and mandible black; distal extremity of maxillary and a broad stripe on the mandible white. Dorsal fin dark purplish brown, with a basal series of lighter spots; soft portion with an additional submarginal row of similar spots and two oblique bands posteriorly. Anal rich brown, with a light basal band. Caudal with three transverse rows of light spots. Pectoral pale yellow, profusely powdered with brown. Outer portion of pelvics purplish black (Ogilby 1920). |
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Etymology |
The specific name jacksoniensis refers to the type locality, Port Jackson, New South Wales. |
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Species Citation |
Opisthognathus jacksoniensis Macleay 1881, Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 5(4): 570. Type locality: Port Jackson, New South Wales. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2022 |
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Resources |
Southern Smiler, Opistognathus jacksoniensis Macleay 1881
References
Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp.
Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp.
Macleay, W.J. 1881. Descriptive catalogue of the fishes of Australia. Part 2. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 5(4): 510-629 pls 13-14 See ref at BHL
Ogilby, J.D. 1920. Edible fishes of Queensland. Parts XV. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 7(1): 1-30 See ref at BHL
Smith-Vaniz 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(2): 209-224. https://doi.org/10.3853/j.0067-1975.56.2004.1422
