Opistognathus brasiliensis Smith-Vaniz, 1997
Darkfin jawfish

Family:  Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Max. size:  12.92 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 15 - 69 m
Distribution:  Southwest Atlantic: Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 28-28. Anterior nostril a short tube with simple cirrus on posterior rim; posterior end of maxilla of adult males produced as a thin flexible lamina that usually extends beyond posterior margin of opercle; spinous dorsal fin with black spot encircled by a very narrow white ring; dorsal fin with 5 or 6 dusky bands that extend onto dorsum; adult males with inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes with 2 dark stripes, one stripe in females; pectoral fin uniformly pigmented, no black speckles proximally; buccal pigmentation consisting of a dark area widely surrounding esophageal opening except for a pale area posteriorly that continues between upper pharyngeal tooth patches; caudal vertebrae 8 (Ref. 26893).
Biology:  Founf on bottoms with gravel and sand or on silt and sand bottoms, near coral reefs and rocky areas (Ref. 129348). Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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