© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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OPLEGNATHIDAE: KNIFEJAWS

© Bernard Yau

The family Oplegnathidae (Knifejaws) is a small one, containing 7 known species, all in the genus Oplegnathus, and all of a similar size (Froese and Pauly, 2007). Knifejaws are found in sub-tropical and temperate waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Knifejaws are deep-bodied fish, with a single, long-based dorsal fin, and teeth in both jaws that are fused into a parrot-like beak, which can crush barnacles and molluscs (Nelson, 1994; Glover, in Gomon et al., 1994; Australian Museum, 2003y).
The various species are found in waters off Japan, South China, Korea, Taiwan, Guam, Hawaii, Mozambique and Natal (and other parts of southern Africa), Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Galapagos Is., and Australia. Only one species, Oplegnathus woodwardi, occurs in Australia.

Associated taxa

Knifejaw / Conway

Oplegnathus woodwardi (Waite, 1900)