Shortjaw Bonefish

Max length : 90.0 cm SL male/unsexed; max. published weight: 8.6 kg

Shortjaw

Is typically found in shallow reef flats and sandy bays through 100 ft. I've generally seen this fish traveling in small schools of around 20 or fewer individuals. They are smart, inquisitive fish, often circling the diver for closer inspection (in protected areas). They are capable of great speed and put up quite a fight if caught on rod and tackle. Inhabits mud flats of turbid inner reefs and mangroves and sandy lagoons. Benthopelagic in shallow, coastal areas. Grabs food from the substratum using its snout. Feeds on invertebrates, benthic species, mollusks and small crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Can tolerate oxygen poor water by inhaling air into a lung-like air bladder. Migrates to mass spawn at seaward mouths of channels on lunar cycle.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Tip of lower jaw broadly rounded; a spot of black pigment often present on the underside of snout, at least in smaller individuals; tooth patches on parasphenoid and basibranchial bones more broadly oval in shape, average width/length 0.38 and 0.45, respectively; number of teeth in pharyngobranchial tooth patch usually 5-15. Compared to A. argentea which has a yellow spot on the axil of the pectoral fin, in this species, there is none

Spawning occurs in open waters. Eggs are pelagic

Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island, Australia; throughout Micronesia.
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)