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Yellowhead Jawfish
Scientific Name
Opistognathus aurifrons
Common Name
Yellowhead jawfish, pearly jawfish
Average Size
2-3 inches
Region
Tropical West Atlantic, Caribbean
Identification
A silvery bluish body with head and anterior dorsal fin being a golden yellow. Some specimens may have a pair of small black dots on their jaw.
Nano Reef Size
10 gallons or larger, a pair could be kept in a 20 long with a deep mixed substrate. Tank should be large enough to accommodate a deep rubble/sand bed and wide enough to let them have enough space to construct their own den. If keeping a pair, it is recommended they be introduced to the aquarium at the same time.
Temperament
Very territorial, usually one to a burrow unless they are spawning. While defensive of their burrow, jawfish are naturally timid and should not be kept with other aggressive fish. They live in colonies in the wild that might remind one of the terrestrial prairie dog with dozens of little yellow heads peeking around and disappearing in a flash.
Current
Low to medium. These fish will not swim in the open water often spending most of their time working on their burrow or hovering above it.
Hardiness
Moderately hardy - these fish do not always ship well and are more readily available during warmer months. Quarantine is definitely recommended and they are susceptible to the normal range of marine parasites but respond fairly well to common treatments. Copper is NOT recommended as a treatment for parasites with jawfish.
Behavior
Spends large parts of the daylight hours rearranging its den. These fish are found in rubble/sand zones in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean and dig their lairs in the substrate. In their natural habitat they are found in waters ranging from as little as 6ft to as much as 100ft. They will search out and acquire bits of rubble, shell, gravel and other materials to reinforce the inside and pile at the mouth of their burrow. Make sure the fish has a good mixed substrate to work with and consider placing additional "building materials" scattered around to keep them busy. When not building they can often be seen hovering as much as a foot or more over their den looking for food or predators. At signs of danger they will dart back into their hole with amazing speed! Likewise they will shoot out into the water column to pluck bits of food and may take it from the surface once they feel comfortable. A happy jawfish is one with a secure home and no big scary fishes! Large fishes may scare them into hiding in their den almost indefinitely and they may not get enough to eat out of fear.
Feeding
Meaty foods and commercial formulas, jawfish adapt readily to captive fare. A good balanced marine pellet or flake formula can form staple with occasional feedings of mysis, clam or squid finely chopped. Jawfish have a rapid metabolism and feeding at least twice a day is recommended.
Notes
Jawfish are prone to jumping when agitated or startled and are best kept in a covered aquarium. Make sure any live rock structures you have in your tank are secure and sitting on the glass or braced so that they will not shift as the jawfish excavates. Some reports of placing a small plastic bowl, overturned, with a hole in the bottom in the place you want the jawfish to build its burrow. Cover the bowl with rubble, sand, and gravel and when introducing the jawfish place the netted specimen over the hole so it will swim in. It should take to this den in short order and begin building a little fortress.
Pearly jawfish will spawn in captivity and are mouth brooders. Few reports of captive raising of fry are reported among hobbyists but they have been raised in the past by commercial aquaculture companies.
Michael Peterson 08/23/2003
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