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Eximious jawfish (Opistognathus eximius) — Opistognathidae

Eximious jawfish

Opistognathus eximius

The Eximious jawfish (Opistognathus eximius) is a saltwater fish of the family Opistognathidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
28.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–35.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Eximious jawfish is a jawfish (Opistognathidae) from shallow sand and rubble water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, pale body with large eyes and a very large mouth. Characteristically it uses its mouth to build a burrow in the soft bottom, reinforces it with pebbles and hovers upright above it; when in danger it dives in. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. It snaps at passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eximious jawfish?

The Eximious jawfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Eximious jawfish live?

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

How big does the Eximious jawfish get?

The Eximious jawfish grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Eximious jawfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Eximious jawfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke kaakvis sourced
English name
Eximious jawfish sourced
Scientific name
Opistognathus eximius
Family
Opistognathidae
Other names
Harlequin smiler sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Opistognathus

More from the family Opistognathidae

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