Papuan Jawfish, Opistognathus papuensis Bleeker, 1868
Speckled Pug
Click to enlarge image
© 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.
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.
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
- 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.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
