Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus Castro-Aguirre & Villavicencio-Garayzar, 1988
Longtailed jawfish
Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus
photo by BĂ©arez, P.

Family:  Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 40 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-19; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 17-18. Body somewhat elongated, narrowing posteriorly; head and mouth large; caudal fin lanceolate and much longer than total length of head; head and body cinnamon or cream with diffuse bluish spots. Operculum with an intense blue spot; median fins violet (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Most specimens taken from flat sandy bottoms. Feeds on benthic and planktonic invertebrates.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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