Meet our August Fish of the Month, the Bluespotted Jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti)!
Survey Regions: Bluespotted Jawfish are found in the Gulf of California and the Revillagigedo Islands, part of REEF's Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) survey region. Click here to view the species distribution report in the REEF database.
Size: They can grow to be about 4 inches long.
Identifying Features: Bluespotted Jawfish have a tan to brown body that is covered in rows of large blue spots. Mating males are very distinctive, with a white forebody and a dark rear body.
Fun Facts: These fish are found in sandy, rubble areas and can live in colonies of up to several hundred individuals. They are typically seen with only their heads protrouding from their burrows. Male Bluespotted Jawfish are mouth brooders, which means they incubate their eggs in their mouths.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the September issue of e-News to see our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Carol Cox.