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Conway (Oplegnathus woodwardi) — Oplegnathidae

Conway

Oplegnathus woodwardi
Family: Oplegnathidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Conway (Oplegnathus woodwardi) is a saltwater fish of the family Oplegnathidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Temperate waters around southern Australia; continental shelf and upper slope.

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Description

The knifejaw is a perch-like fish of the knifejaw family (Oplegnathidae) from the temperate waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a deep, silvery-grey body; juveniles often bear dark bars that fade in adults. Characteristic is the mouth, in which the teeth are fused into a strong, parrot-like beak with which the fish breaks open hard prey. It lives on the continental shelf and upper slope and feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins. Owing to limited data the species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Conway?

The Conway has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Teeth fused into a parrot-like beak to break open hard prey.

Where does the Conway live?

The Conway lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Temperate waters around southern Australia; continental shelf and upper slope.

How big does the Conway get?

The Conway grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Conway dangerous to humans?

No, the Conway is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

More photos

Conway (Oplegnathus woodwardi) — Oplegnathidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — NJCorso (CC0)
Conway (Oplegnathus woodwardi) — Oplegnathidae — 3
Tom Trnski (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Conway (Oplegnathus woodwardi) — Oplegnathidae — 4
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Conway (Oplegnathus woodwardi) — Oplegnathidae — 5
Mark McGrouther (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
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All data

Identification

English name
Conway verified
Scientific name
Oplegnathus woodwardi
Family
Oplegnathidae
Other names
Hoofjaw; Horseshoe-jaw; Knifejaw; Parrot fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Temperate waters around southern Australia; continental shelf and upper slope. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Teeth fused into a parrot-like beak to break open hard prey. sourced

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Oplegnathus

More from the family Oplegnathidae

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