TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)

Genus/species: Opistognathus randalli

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS Has two large bulging eyes to peak to of its burrow. They use their large mouths to dig the burrow and reinforce the walls with stones and shells.

Length up to 10.4 cm (4 inches)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found in the tropical marine Western Pacific: pelagic-sublittoral zone; the part of the ocean extending from the low tide mark to the edge of the continental shelf, with a relatively shallow depth extending to about 200 meters. They are located in the sand/rubble bottoms near reefs.

Depth range 5 – 32 m (16-105 ft)

DIET IN THE WILD: Small crustaceans, fish and invertebrates

REPRODUCTION: Jawfish are mouthbrooders. Males of this species are strongly territorial and frequently engage in jaw locking combat.

IUCN Not evaluated.

Reference

California Academy of Sciences, Steinhart Aquarium Hidden reels 2018

fishbase fishbase.org/summary/Opistognathus-randalli.html

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/40146951615/in/album-72157659465376212/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink. https://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1X8