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FAQs about Jawfishes, Family Opistognathidae Identification Related Articles: Jawfishes,
Related FAQs: Jawfishes 1,
Jawfishes 2,
Jawfish Behavior,
Jawfish Compatibility,
Jawfish Selection,
Jawfish Systems, Jawfish Feeding,
Jawfish Disease,
Jawfish Reproduction,
Due to their behavior, specializations for living in burrows
of their own construction, Opistognathids are easily identifiable. |
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Indescribable..
I mean Undescribed Jawfish...?
Hello! I recently purchased a Jawfish that was labeled a Black Cap Jawfish, however, after searching your site, I see it labeled as a U1
undescribed Jawfish. Has this fish been IDd yet?
Thank you,
Jim
<Mmm, maybe... I do recall seeing some that had been recently described. Maybe give a read over on fishbase.org on the family
Opistognathidae... Bob Fenner> Re: Jawfish
Thanks for the response Bob! I checked that site and although it turned up loads of info, I
didn't see anything on this particular Jawfish, unless I missed it, but I don't think so. I more curious now than ever!
Any more info/leads you can provide would be greatly appreciated...
Jim
<Mmm, none other than Dr. Jack Randall has stated to me that he has more than a dozen undescribed species of these fishes... from the tropical Indo-Pacific... You might want to email him with pix... Bob Fenner>
Re: Jawfishes ID
Jim:
The person to contact about Jawfishes is Dr. William F. Smith-Vaniz. He's the one who has many new species to described (and has been sitting on them
far too long). His e-mail: Bill_Smith-Vaniz@usgs.gov
<Thanks much Jack, mahalo, Bob Fenner over in Holualoa, mauka of Kona...>
New Jawfish HELP 7/20/05
I just picked up a new jawfish. The LFS identified it
as a Yellow Jawfish, however, after looking at your
site, it is described as "Opistognathus sp. U1" an
unidentified species. It looks just like the picture
to the far right of your description.
The LFS had it in a tank with triggers and aggressive
fish. I have an aggressive tank, and they said it would
be fine. The LFS had the fish for about a month and it
was doing well and eating. It had built a burrow and
looked very feisty.
Has anything else been discovered about this fish? I
have a Huma Trigger, a Koran Angel, a Yellow Tang,
Snowflake Eel, Lionfish, and a Possum Wrasse in my
tank. Was I given the wrong advice? <If it were me, this fish would be in a
docile tank where it would be more relaxed and more likely to get it's share of
food. You would also see more activity in the fish. Amy, do a Google search on
the WWM, keyword, "Jawfish", and read. James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks! <You're welcome>
Amy
Indo Pix of the day, week, life (Identifications... this time
Opistognathid U1)
Lovely new pics. Are you sure your "Opistognathus sp." isn't indeed;
"Opistognathus macrognathos" the banded Jawfish?
http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=1&ID=3686&what=species
<... absolutely sure... the one pictured is also found on fishbase as the species you mention:
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=3686&genusname=
Opistognathus&speciesname=macrognathos
along with a pic by myself...
But the species (O. macrognathos) is found in the tropical West Atlantic... the pix I sent as unknown species I shot (for sure) a couple weeks back in N. Sulawesi. I have a bunch of "unknown" pix... and appreciate any help ad identifying them...
Bob Fenner>
Jawfish
Hi Guys.
My local FS here in the UK has just received a delivery of 6 of these
beauties..........
<Agreed. This is a neat species.>
"Opistognathus sp. U1. One of many
as-yet undescribed Jawfish species. Dr. Randall (pers. corr.) told me once that
he had backlogged at least a dozen or so in this family... let's hope he gets
around to them soon. N. Sulawesi pix. OR Opistognathus sp. Gold Specs Jawfish. Mabul
Malaysia. A male with a mouthful of eggs."
Difficult to ID as the ones they have in have similar body markings but totally
black heads with bright orange eyes.
<Mmm, I wrote the above text and took the pix... as far as I know this
species is still unidentified... What else can I add? Let's see, for the family
they're quite outgoing, and don't seem to get any larger (have seen a couple
dozen specimens)>
We get very very few Jawfish into the UK and they are always expensive. I am
taking a pair (can you ID male /female ??) for my system as first fish in.
<Have seen males with eggs in mouth... but no discernible external
differences I'm aware of between sexes>
I have mixed substrate (aragonite, course grain and rubble) to a depth of
4"...I assume that would be ok.
<Sounds good>
Notice on WWM site that this species has very little information. can you give
me a pointer to any other sites that might have or is this a relatively newish
!! species.
<Would have to look the same as you>
Look forward to your prompt reply. Steve. Tope
<Keep good notes, and an open eye for literature... and consider writing an
article and more re your experiences. Bob Fenner>
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