Jawfishes

Opistognathidae

Opistognathidae, commonly known as jawfishes, is a family of fishes that falls under the order Perciformes, suborder Percoidei. However, some authorities now place this family within the clade Ovalentaria, although its specific affiliations within the clade remain uncertain, making it incertae sedis. With approximately 80 known species, jawfishes are predominantly found in the warmer regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and 🌊 Indian Oceans, inhabiting areas from shallow waters to depths of several hundred meters. The taxonomy of this family at the species level is intricate, and there are several undescribed species included within it.