WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Yellowhead Jawfish

Opistognathus aurifrons

Also known as: Pearly Jawfish, Yellow-headed Jawfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Adult
@artydavey · Norman Island, British Virgin Islands · May 20171 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, hovering vertically, above or near their coral and sand burrows, re-entering tail-first when disturbed, over sand and rubble areas.

Jawfish are usually found in self-constructed burrows with just the head showing waiting for their prey, they have huge mouths for the size of head.
After mating the males incubate the eggs in their mouths, the eggs are clumped together like a sticky ball!

02

How to identify

Head & Mouth
yellow head

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Central Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, hovering vertically, above or near their coral and sand burrows, re-entering tail-first when disturbed, over sand and rubble areas.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderOvalentaria incertae sedis
    5. familyOpistognathidae
    6. genusOpistognathus
    7. speciesOpistognathus aurifrons (Jordan & Thompson, 1905)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Jawfishes (Opistognathidae)