Papuan Jawfish, Opistognathus papuensis Bleeker, 1868

Scientific name: Opistognathus papuensis
Alternative name/s:
Speckled Pug
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    08/04/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Papuan Jawfish, Opistognathus papuensis Click to enlarge image
A Papuan Jawfish caught on hook and line by M. Calcutt in murky water, Embley River System, near Weipa, Queensland, October 2002. After the hook was removed the fish "walked" off the deck back into the water. Image: M. Calcutt
© M. Calcutt

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Opistognathus
    Species
    papuensis
    Family
    Opistognathidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40 cm in length.

Introduction

The Papuan Jawfish can be recognised by its colouration. The species is known from Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Identification

The Papuan Jawfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is light tan to brown with black blotches and dashes on the head, body and fins. Spoke-like dashes radiate from the eyes. There is a large brown to black blotch under and above the pectoral fin.

Papuan Jawfish, Opistognathus papuensis

A Papuan Jawfish caught on hook and line by Norm Morgan at a depth of about 10m, near Snapper Island, east of the mouth of the Daintree River, Queensland, November 2010.

Image: Norm Morgan
© Norm Morgan

Distribution

The species is known from Papua New Guinea and Australia. In Australia it occurs from north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north to north-eastern Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Papuan Jawfish, Opistognathus papuensis

A Papuan Jawfish caught on hook and line by M. Calcutt in murky water, Embley River System, near Weipa, Queensland, October 2002.

Image: M. Calcutt
© M. Calcutt

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.