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Physically similar to blennies, most jawfish species are small fish (up to 10 cm or 3.9 in) with an elongated body plan. A few species, for example the aptly named giant jawfish (O. rhomaleus), reaches about 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in). Their heads, mouths, and eyes are large in size relative to the rest of their bodies.
The upper jaw, or maxilla [12] [13] is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper jaw. This is similar to the mandible (lower jaw), which is also a fusion of two halves at the mandibular symphysis. In bony fish, the maxilla is called the "upper maxilla," with the mandible being the "lower maxilla".
There are currently 72 recognized species in this genus: Opistognathus adelus Smith-Vaniz, 2010 (Obscure jawfish) [2]; Opistognathus afer Smith-Vaniz, 2010 (African jawfish) [2]
The Syngnathidae is a family of fish which includes seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons (Phycodurus and Phyllopteryx). The name is derived from Ancient Greek: σύν (syn), meaning "together", and γνάθος (gnathos), meaning "jaw". [1] The fused jaw is one of the traits that the entire family have in common. [2]
Monognathus, or onejaw, is the only genus of the family Monognathidae of deep-sea eels.The name comes from the Greek monos meaning "one" and gnathos meaning "jaw", a reference to the large mouth in comparison with the rest of the fish, and also the absence of an upper jaw (maxilla and premaxilla bones are absent).
The Osteostraci (bony armored jawless fish) are generally considered the sister taxon of Gnathostomata. [3] [9] [10] Jaw development in vertebrates is likely a product of the supporting gill arches. This development would help push water into the mouth by the movement of the jaw, so that it would pass over the gills for gas exchange.
Yellowhead jawfish have two different types of responses to intruders, flight or fight. The type of response depends on the type of incoming fish. During flight, the fish will swim away from the intruder and in go into their burrow, covering the opening with a large rock. During fight, the fish will spit sand or rocks at the intruder. [4]
The blue-spotted jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti) is a species of jawfish native to the Gulf of California.It is an inhabitant of reefs where it is found in large colonies at depths of around 12 metres (39 ft).