Crestfish

Crestfish refers to a group of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family *Opisthognathidae*. These fish are commonly known as jawfishes due to their unusually large mouths and prominent jaws. They are characterized by a distinctive crest or dorsal fin that runs along their back, giving them their common name. Crestfish are primarily found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, inhabiting sandy or rubble bottoms where they excavate burrows.

These fish are solitary and territorial, spending most of their time within their burrows, emerging only to feed on small invertebrates and plankton. A notable characteristic of crestfish is their unique reproductive behavior, where the male carries the eggs in his mouth until they hatch. This oral incubation protects the developing embryos from predators and environmental fluctuations. Crestfish are generally small to medium in size, with coloration varying significantly between species, often featuring patterns of stripes, spots, or vibrant hues. While not a major commercial fishery target, some species are kept in marine aquariums due to their interesting behavior and striking appearance.