Oplopomus
Oplopomus is a genus of fish in the family Serranidae, the sea basses. It contains five species, all of which are found in the Indo-Pacific region. The genus is closely related to the genus Epinephelus, and some authors have suggested that it should be merged with that genus. However, Oplopomus is distinguished from Epinephelus by a number of features, including the presence of a small, fleshy flap on the lower jaw, the absence of a preopercular spine, and the shape of the dorsal fin.
Common Names
The species of Oplopomus are commonly known as soapfishes, due to the slippery mucus that covers their skin. This mucus is thought to help protect the fish from predators and parasites. Other common names for these fishes include sweetlips, rockcods, and grouper.
Characteristics
Oplopomus species are typically small to medium-sized fish, with most species reaching a maximum length of 30 cm. They have elongated, compressed bodies with large mouths and prominent lower jaws. Their coloration is typically brown, grey, or reddish, often with dark spots or bars. They have a single dorsal fin that is continuous and has spines in the anterior portion followed by soft rays.
Environment
Oplopomus species are found in shallow coastal waters, often associated with rocky reefs or coral reefs. They are typically found in relatively sheltered areas, such as caves, crevices, and under overhangs. Some species are known to inhabit estuaries and other brackish water habitats.
Species
The following species are recognized in the genus Oplopomus:
- Oplopomus bleekeri (Günther, 1873) - Bleeker's soapfish
- Oplopomus doederleini (Bleeker, 1871) - Doederlein's soapfish
- Oplopomus huttoni (Smith, 1957) - Hutton's soapfish
- Oplopomus macrognathus (Bleeker, 1858) - Largemouth soapfish
- Oplopomus pusillus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843) - Dwarf soapfish