Abrolhos Jawfish, Opistognathus alleni Smith-Vaniz 2004

Summary:

A small jawfish found only on inshore reefs in Western Australia.

Identifying features:

Body light yellowish-brown with a dark chocolate-brown stripe along midsides

Dorsal and anal fins with a dark chocolate-brown stripe

Pale to white spots on cheek, gill cover, pectoral-fin base and below midlateral stripe

Spinous dorsal fin ten spines, a broad dark submarginal stripe and pale fleshy tabs on spine tips

Cite this page as:

Dianne J. Bray, Opistognathus alleni in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 May 2022, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3494

Abrolhos Jawfish, Opistognathus alleni Smith-Vaniz 2004

More Info

Features	Meristic features: Dorsal-fin X, 19 (rarely 20) Anal-fin II, 17–18 (typically 18) Pectoral-fin rays 19-20 Caudal fin: procurrent rays 4–5+3–5 Caudal fin: segmented rays 8+8, middle 12–14 branched, total elements 23–26 Vertebrae: 10+22 (10+23 in one of 35 specimens) Gill rakers 8-10 + 16-18 = 24-28 Oblique scale rows in longitudinal series: about 21-31
Etymology	The species is named alleni in honour of Dr Gerald R. Allen, who recognized the species as being undescribed, for making the material available and for his contributions to the knowledge of Indo-Pacific fishes.
Species Citation	Opistognathus alleni Smith-Vaniz 2004, Rec. Aust. Mus. 56: 210, figs 1, 2A, 3A, 4A. Type locality: Western Australia, Houtman Abrolhos Archipelago, N. end of Dicks Island, in Goss Passage, 28°30'S 113°46'E, 30–32 m.
Author	Dianne J. Bray

Abrolhos Jawfish, Opistognathus alleni Smith-Vaniz 2004

References

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum 201 pp., 70 pls (as Opistognathus sp)

Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 2004. Descriptions of Six New Species of Jawfishes (Opistognathidae: Opistognathus) from Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 56: 209-224