Home · Opistognathidae · Longtail jawfish
Longtail jawfish (Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus) — Opistognathidae

Longtail jawfish

Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus
LC · Least Concern

The Longtail jawfish (Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Opistognathidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bicolor jawfish is a jawfish (Opistognathidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate body, a large head with a stout mouth and large eyes, and a fairly long tail. It lives on flat sandy bottoms, where it occupies a self-dug burrow into which it backs at the first sign of danger. It feeds on benthic and planktonic invertebrates. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longtail jawfish?

The Longtail jawfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Longtail jawfish live?

The Longtail jawfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Longtail jawfish get?

The Longtail jawfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Longtail jawfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Longtail jawfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Longtail jawfish edible?

The Longtail jawfish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Californische kaakvis sourced
English name
Longtail jawfish verified
Scientific name
Lonchopisthus sinuscalifornicus
Family
Opistognathidae
Other names
Longtailed jawfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lonchopisthus

More from the family Opistognathidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →