Scientific Name
Opistognathus cuvierii
Common Name
Bartail jawfish
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 11;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 16;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 16. Anterior nostril a short tube with simple cirrus on posterior rim; posterior end of maxilla of adult males produced as a thin flexible lamina that usually extends beyond posterior margin of opercle; spinous dorsal fin with a dark spot encircled by broad white ring; adult males with inner lining of maxilla and adjacent membranes with two dark stripes (innermost stripe not well developed), no stripes in females; buccal pigmentation consisting of a dark blotch on either side of esophageal opening widely separated by pale median area that continues between upper pharyngeals; caudal vertebrae 19 (Ref. 26893).