Opistognathus smithvanizi Bussing & Lavenberg, 2003

Family:  Opistognathidae (Jawfishes)
Max. size:  5.61 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 9 - 20 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Costa Rica.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 16-16; Vertebrae: 29-29. This small (4.8-5.6 cm), robust species possess the following combination of characters: upper jaw sexually dimorphic, males' maxilla longer and with two dark stripes on inner lining; 16-17 dorsal-fin soft rays; A III; 81- 94 oblique scale rows in longitudinal series; 22-25 gill rakers on lower limb of first arch; body with 5 wide dusky bars overlain with diffuse spotting; faint, non-ocellated oval blotch in spinous dorsal, between spines 4 and 7; anterior nostril with an unbranched club-shaped cirrus; buccal pigmentation; large orbit, 2.8-3.1 in HL; short head, its length 2.8-3.0 in SL; long upper jaw length, in males 1.3-1.4 and in females 1.7 in HL; 19 caudal vertebrae (Ref. 75633).
Biology:  Found over rocky/sandy substrates (Ref. 75633).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 24 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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