Ashmore Jawfish, Opistognathus asper Smith-Vaniz 2023

Summary:

tips of dorsal-fin spines with conspicuous pale tabs; dorsum with a row of 5 dark blotches that extend distinctly onto dorsal fin; last blotch on dorsal fin at least as wide as anterior blotches; scale rows on body appear to form series of narrow dark stripes.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2023, Opistognathus asper in Fishes of Australia, accessed 26 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5708

Ashmore Jawfish, Opistognathus asper Smith-Vaniz 2023

More Info

Distribution	Near Ashmore Reef, in the Timor Sea, depth 95 m.
Features	Dorsal fin XI,11-12; Anal fin II,10; Pectoral fin 19; Caudal fin procurrent rays 4-5; segmented rays 8 + 7-8, middle 11-12 branched, total elements 24 (23–24); Gill rakers (first arch) 10-11 + 22-24 = 32-34; Vertebrae 10+16; Scale rows in horizontal series about 42–44; lateral-line terminating below dorsal–fin spine 11 or segmented dorsal-fin rays 1–4. Upper jaw rigid, lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.7 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals relatively slender and tubular, 3rd infraorbital with short posterolateral projecting arm ending with large sensory canal opening, no suborbital shelf. Scales absent on head, nape and chest; except area above lateral line anteriorly with 1 or 2 irregular rows of scales in holotype, same area naked in both paratypes, and pectoral-fin base scaly; scales rows in horizontal series about 42–44; lateral-line terminus below dorsal–fin spine 11 or segmented dorsal-fin rays 1–4, total element posi SMITH-VANIZ40 · Zootaxa 5252 (1) © 2023 Magnolia Press tion 12.0–15.0 (11.0)
Etymology	The specific name is from the Greek asper (= rough), in reference to the irregular row of scales above the lateral line anteriorly in the holotype.
Species Citation	Opistognathus asper Smith-Vaniz 2023, Zootaxa 5252(1): 39, Figs 5B, 16E, 49, 50.Type locality: northwestern Australia, vicinity of Ashmore Reef, 12°26’42”S, 123°36’03”E–12°26’58”S, 123°36’35”E, 95 m.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2023
Resources	Atlas of Living Australia Australian Faunal Directory Catalog of Fishes

Ashmore Jawfish, Opistognathus asper Smith-Vaniz 2023

References

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