Opisthognathidae

Opisthognathidae is a family of ray-finned fishes commonly known as jawfishes. These small to medium-sized marine fishes are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, typically inhabiting sandy or rubble-strewn bottoms where they excavate burrows. A distinctive characteristic of jawfishes is their large mouths, which give them their common name. These mouths are proportionally large for their bodies and are equipped with numerous sharp teeth, which they use for capturing small invertebrates and fishes.

Jawfishes are known for their unique reproductive behavior. The males are mouthbrooders, meaning they incubate the fertilized eggs in their mouths until they hatch. This parental care is thought to be a significant factor in their survival. Many species of jawfishes are solitary and territorial, defending their burrows from intruders. They are often observed hovering head-down in the water column just above their burrow entrance, ready to dart back inside at the first sign of danger. Their coloration varies widely among species, often providing camouflage against their benthic habitat. While not a major target for commercial fisheries, some jawfish species are popular in the aquarium trade due to their distinctive appearance and interesting behavior.