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Opistognathus  Cuvier, 1816
Taxonomic Serial No.: 170925

(Download Help) Opistognathus TSN 170925

 Taxonomy and Nomenclature
       
  Kingdom: Animalia  
  Taxonomic Rank: Genus  
  Synonym(s): Gnathypops Gill, 1862
  
    Merogymnus Ogilby, 1908
  
    Tandya Whitley, 1930
  
    Merogymnoides Whitley, 1966
  
    Upsilonognathus Fowler, 1946
  
  Common Name(s): spotfin jawfishes [English]
  
       
  Taxonomic Status:    
  Current Standing: valid  
       
  Data Quality Indicators:    
  Record Credibility Rating: verified - standards met  
  Global Species Completeness: complete   
  Latest Record Review: 2026   
       

 Taxonomic Hierarchy
       
 KingdomAnimalia  – Animal, animaux, animals  
    SubkingdomBilateria  – triploblasts  
       InfrakingdomDeuterostomia   
          PhylumChordata  – cordés, cordado, chordates  
             SubphylumVertebrata  – vertebrado, vertébrés, vertebrates  
                InfraphylumGnathostomata   
                   SuperclassActinopterygii  – ray-finned fishes, spiny rayed fishes, poisson épineux, poissons à nageoires rayonnées  
                      ClassTeleostei   
                         SuperorderAcanthopterygii   
                            OrderPerciformes  – perch-like fishes  
                               SuborderPercoidei   
                                  FamilyOpistognathidae Bonaparte, 1835 – jawfishes, smilers, bocones, tout-en-gueule  
                                     GenusOpistognathus Cuvier, 1816 – spotfin jawfishes  
    Direct Children:  
                                        Species Opistognathus abei Fujiwara and Ikeda, 2024  
                                        Species Opistognathus adelus Smith-Vaniz, 2010 – Obscure Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus afer Smith-Vaniz, 2010 – African Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus albicaudatus Smith-Vaniz, 2011 – Whitetail Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus albomaculatus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Whitespotted Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus alleni Smith-Vaniz, 2004 – Abrolhos Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus asper Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Ashmore Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus aurifrons (Jordan and Thompson, 1905) – Yellowhead Jawfish, guardián cabeziamarillo, bocón cabeza amarilla 
                                        Species Opistognathus aurolineatus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Threestripe Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus bathyphilus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Lansdowne Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus biporus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Bipored Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus brasiliensis Smith-Vaniz, 1997 – Darkfin Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus brochus Bussing and Lavenberg, 2003 – Toothy Jawfish, bocón dientudo 
                                        Species Opistognathus castelnaui Bleeker, 1859 – Castelnau's Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus challenger Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Challenger Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus crassus Smith-Vaniz, 2010 – Stout Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus ctenion Fujiwara, Motomura and Shinohara, 2023 – Japanese Whitespotted Jawfish, Shiratama-agoamadai 
                                        Species Opistognathus cuvierii Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836 – Phantom Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus cyanospilotus Smith-Vaniz, 2009 – Blueblotch Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus darwiniensis Macleay, 1878 – Darwin Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus decorus Smith-Vaniz and Yoshino, 1985 – Tattooed Jawfish, Irezumi-amadai 
                                        Species Opistognathus dendriticus (Jordan and Richardson, 1908) – tabangka, Dendritic Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus dipharus Smith-Vaniz, 2010 – Tail Beacon Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus elizabethensis Smith-Vaniz, 2004 – Elizabeth Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus ensiferus Smith-Vaniz, 2016 – Mannar Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus erdmanni Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Erdmann's Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus evermanni (Jordan and Snyder, 1902) – Rainbow Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus eximius (Ogilby, 1908) – Harlequin Smiler 
                                        Species Opistognathus fenmutis Acero P. and Franke, 1993 – Sailfin Jawfish, bocón velero 
                                        Species Opistognathus flavidus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Yellowfin Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus fossoris Bussing and Lavenberg, 2003 – Barred Jawfish, bocón excavador, bocón rayado 
                                        Species Opistognathus galapagensis Allen and Robertson, 1991 – bocón grande de Galápagos, Galapagos Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus gilberti Böhlke, 1967 – bocón amarillo, Yellow Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus helvolus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Deep-water Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus hongkongiensis Chan, 1968 – Hongkong Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus hopkinsi (Jordan and Snyder, 1902) – Olive Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus hyalinus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Glassy Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus inornatus Ramsay and Ogilby, 1887 – Spotted Pub Jawfish, Brown Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus iyonis (Jordan and Thompson, 1913) – Iyo Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus jacksoniensis Macleay, 1881 – Southern Smiler 
                                        Species Opistognathus latitabundus (Whitley, 1937) – Blotched Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus leprocarus Smith-Vaniz, 1997 – Roughcheek Jawfish, bocón mejilla áspera 
                                        Species Opistognathus liturus Smith-Vaniz and Yoshino, 1985 – Seto-amadai, Typhoon Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus lonchurus Jordan and Gilbert, 1882 – Moustache Jawfish, guardián verdoso, bocón bigote 
                                        Species Opistognathus longinaris Smith-Vaniz, 2010 – Long Nostril Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus macrognathus Poey, 1860 – Banded Jawfish, Longjaw Jawfish, guardián bandeado, bocón bandeado 
                                        Species Opistognathus macrolepis Peters, 1866 – Bigscale Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus margaretae Smith-Vaniz, 1983 – Margaret's Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus maxillosus Poey, 1860 – Mottled Jawfish, guardián jaspeado, bocón moteado 
                                        Species Opistognathus megalepis Smith-Vaniz, 1972 – bocón escamón, Largescale Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus megalops Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Bigeye Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus melachasme Smith-Vaniz, 1972 – megabocón, Megamouth Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus microspilus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Smallspot Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus muscatensis Boulenger, 1888 – Robust Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus nigripinnis Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Blackfin Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus nigromarginatus Rüppell, 1830 – Bridled Jawfish, Moustached Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus nothus Smith-Vaniz, 1997 – Yellowmouth Jawfish, bocón boca amarilla, guardián boca amarilla 
                                        Species Opistognathus ocellicaudatus Shinohara, 2021 – Eyespottail Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus panamaensis Allen and Robertson, 1991 – Panamanian Jawfish, bocón puntazul 
                                        Species Opistognathus papuensis Bleeker, 1868 – Speckled Smiler, Papuan Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus pardus Smith-Vaniz, Bineesh and Akhilesh, 2012 – Leopard Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus parvus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Dwarf Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus pholeter Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Hidden Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus punctatus Peters, 1869 – bocón punteado, Finespotted Jawfish, Fine-spotted Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus randalli Smith-Vaniz, 2009 – Goldspecs Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus reticeps Smith-Vaniz, 2004 – Reticulated Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus reticulatus (McKay, 1969) – Leopard Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus rhomaleus Jordan and Gilbert, 1882 – bocón gigante, Giant Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus robinsi Smith-Vaniz, 1997 – Spotfin Jawfish, bocón aletimanchada 
                                        Species Opistognathus rosenbergii Bleeker, 1856 – Rosenberg's Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus rosenblatti Allen and Robertson, 1991 – Bluespotted Jawfish, bocón manchas azules 
                                        Species Opistognathus rufilineatus Smith-Vaniz and Allen, 2007 – Redlined Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus schrieri Smith-Vaniz, 2017 – Curaçao Jawfish, bocón de Curazao 
                                        Species Opistognathus scops (Jenkins and Evermann, 1889) – bocón ocelado, Bullseye Jawfish, bocón de aleta manchada, bocón ojo de toro 
                                        Species Opistognathus seminudus Smith-Vaniz, 2004 – Halfnaked Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus signatus Smith-Vaniz, 1997 – bocón de manchas oscuras, Dark Spotted Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus simus Smith-Vaniz, 2010 – Cargados Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus smithvanizi Bussing and Lavenberg, 2003 – bocón ojo manchada, Eye-spot Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus solorensis Bleeker, 1853 – Solor Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus stigmosus Smith-Vaniz, 2004 – Spot-eyed Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus thionyi Smith-Vaniz, Tornabene and Macieira, 2018 – Thiony's Jawfish, Peixe Bocão do Thiony 
                                        Species Opistognathus trimaculatus Hiramatsu and Endo, 2013 – Threespot Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus triops Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – False-eye Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus variabilis Smith-Vaniz, 2009 – Variable Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus verecundus Smith-Vaniz, 2004 – Bashful Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus vicinus Smith-Vaniz, Tornabene and Macieira, 2018 – Peixe Bocão escuro, Brazilian Dusky Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus vigilax Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Watchful Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus walkeri Bussing and Lavenberg, 2003 – Mexican Jawfish, bocón mexicano 
                                        Species Opistognathus wassi Smith-Vaniz, 2023 – Chinstrap Jawfish 
                                        Species Opistognathus whitehursti (Longley, 1927) – Dusky Jawfish, guardián escamudo, bocón prieto 
       

 References
       
  Expert(s):    
  Expert: Howard L. Jelks  
  Notes: Retired Research Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 7920 N.W. 71st Street, Gainesville, Florida 32653   
  Reference for: Opistognathus    
       
  Other Source(s):    
  Source: Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes, 13-Jan-2026, website (version 13-Jan-26)  
  Acquired: 2026   
  Notes: Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W. N. & van der Laan, R. (eds) 2026. ESCHMEYER'S CATALOG OF FISHES: GENERA, SPECIES, REFERENCES. (https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp). Electronic version accessed 16 Jan 2026   
  Reference for: Opistognathus   
       
  Source: NODC Taxonomic Code, database (version 8.0)  
  Acquired: 1996   
  Notes:    
  Reference for: Opistognathus   
       
  Publication(s):    
  Author(s)/Editor(s): Cuvier, G.  
  Publication Date: 1816   
  Article/Chapter Title:    
  Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: Le Règne Animal distribué d'après son organisation pour servir de base à l'histoire naturelle des animaux et d'introduction à l'anatomie comparée. Les reptiles, les poissons, les mollusques et les annélides, Edition 1, vol. 2   
  Page(s): 1-532   
  Publisher: A. Belin   
  Publication Place: Paris, France   
  ISBN/ISSN:    
  Notes: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/1848835#   
  Reference for: original description   
       
  Author(s)/Editor(s): Eschmeyer, William N.  
  Publication Date: 1990   
  Article/Chapter Title:    
  Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: Genera of Recent Fishes   
  Page(s): iii + 697   
  Publisher: California Academy of Sciences   
  Publication Place: San Francisco, CA, USA   
  ISBN/ISSN: 0-940228-23-8   
  Notes:    
  Reference for: Opistognathus   
       
  Author(s)/Editor(s): Eschmeyer, William N., ed.  
  Publication Date: 1998   
  Article/Chapter Title: Catalog of Fishes   
  Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: Special Publication of the Center for Biodiversity Research and Information, no. 1, vol 1-3   
  Page(s): 2905   
  Publisher: California Academy of Sciences   
  Publication Place: San Francisco, California, USA   
  ISBN/ISSN: 0-940228-47-5   
  Notes: Available online at http://www.jstor.org/stable/25622932   
  Reference for: Opistognathus   
       
  Author(s)/Editor(s): Nelson, Joseph S.  
  Publication Date: 1994   
  Article/Chapter Title:    
  Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: Fishes of the World, Third Edition   
  Page(s): xvii + 600   
  Publisher: John Wiley and Sons   
  Publication Place: New York, New York, USA   
  ISBN/ISSN: 0-471-54713-1   
  Notes:    
  Reference for: Opistognathus   
       
  Author(s)/Editor(s): Robins, Richard C., Reeve M. Bailey, Carl E. Bond, James R. Brooker, Ernest A. Lachner, et al.  
  Publication Date: 1980   
  Article/Chapter Title: A List of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada, Fourth Edition   
  Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: American Fisheries Society Special Publication, no. 12   
  Page(s): 174   
  Publisher: American Fisheries Society   
  Publication Place: Bethesda, Maryland, USA   
  ISBN/ISSN: 0097-0638   
  Notes:    
  Reference for: Opistognathus   
       
  Author(s)/Editor(s): Smith-Vaniz, William F.  
  Publication Date: 2023   
  Article/Chapter Title: Review of Indo-West Pacific jawfishes (Opistognathus: Opistognathidae), with descriptions of 18 new species   
  Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: Zootaxa, vol. 5252, no. 1   
  Page(s): 1-180   
  Publisher:    
  Publication Place:    
  ISBN/ISSN: 1175-5326   
  Notes: doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5252.1.1   
  Reference for: Opistognathus   
       

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