Dusky jawfish
(Opistognathus whitehursti)

Image source: Jo's Animal Database

Classification

Species: Opistognathus whitehursti

General data

Scientific names: Dusky jawfish
Habitat: Saltwater
Climates: Tropical, Subtropical

The dusky jawfish (Opistognathus whitehursti) is a species of jawfish native to the western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea where it is an inhabitant of reefs at depths of from 1 to 12 metres (3.3 to 39.4 ft).

It can reach a length of 14 centimetres (5.5 in) TL.

This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 13 - 14.

The dark spot (deep greenish blue in life) of the dorsal fin usually found between the 2nd and 4th or 5th dorsal spines; body densely mottled with dark brown and flecked with blackish; caudal fin and posterior part of dorsal fin are yellow with rows of small blackish spots.