Opisthognathidae

Opistognathidae, the jawfishes, are a family of fishes in the order Blenniiformes. The family includes about 80 species. They are native to warmer parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, where they are found from the shallows to depths of a few hundred meters. The species level taxonomy is complex and the family includes several undescribed species.

Physically similar to blennies, most jawfish species are small fishes (up to ) with an elongated body plan. A few species are larger, such as for example the aptly named giant jawfish (O. rhomaleus), which reaches about . Their heads, mouths, and eyes are large in size relative to the rest of their bodies. Jawfishes possess a single, long dorsal fin with 9–12 spines and a caudal fin that can be either rounded or pointed.