Ospitognathus albicaudatusis a brand new species of jawfish described from two specimens caught in the Andaman Sea. The aptly named White-tailed Jawfish is apparently endemic to the Fusilier Straits of the Andaman Islands and is closely related toO. variabilis.
Being isolated in a little corner spanning over much ofO. variabilis‘ range, it is presumed thatO. albicaudatusarose from allopatric speciation.
The coloration of the White-tailed Jawfish is chestnut overall, fading to a deep navy blue towards the tail which ends abruptly in white. The white-tail Jawfish may not be as pretty as its Atlantic cousins the Blue-spotted Jawfish or the帆鳍Jawfish, but the stark white tail followed after the deep blue body is pretty unique. The coloration can probably change in intensity with mood, but the holotype photograph of a dead specimen clearly shows the pretty white tail that this fish is named after. If white caudal fins are your thing, be sure to look out for the new White-tailed Jawfish. It’s not likely to enter the trade due to it’s restricted range in the Andaman Sea though.
