Blue spot jawfish questions

[PDAlber]

I've been thinking more and more about purchasing a blue spot jawfish. I've read a lot of posts from owners who rave about them and how they have the best personalities. I have also read, though, that they tend to have a low survival rate, are prone to some type of disease, and prefer cooler temperatures. I have a well established mixed reef that runs at around 80 degrees all the time. I have a DIY screen cover to prevent jumping. Should I give it a shot?

 

[Ooulophilia]

IMO this is a species that should not be kept in captivity. I am not sure why they have such a dismal survival rate but it is pretty depressing seeing them at the wholesalers - usually most of them have bacterial infections and their tails are rotting off.

Go with a dusky Jawfish - maybe not quite as attractive but they are bulletproof and WAY cheaper and I guarantee after you watch him for a while it will become your new favorite fish! HTH

 

[reppo13]

IMO if your willing to take care of it well I would go for it. Few things for starters is to have at least 4 inches of sand for the fish. Also start with your temp at 72-75 and slowly over a 3-4 weeks raise it back to your normal temp. It has worked for me for four years. Pick your specimen well at your lfs or just get them off of LA. If at all possible keep your lights off for a day, this will give them enough time to build a burrow. Lastly as for the diy screen..... I would use a glass top. EVERY hole has to be covered. Holes can't be bigger that 1/2 cm in diameter.

 

[serval]

I'm with Ooulophilia on this (and I am grateful to hear the dusky survives better as well) - these fish are wonderful when healthy but even with the best of care, survival is really dismal. They get stressed out very very easily, so your tankmates are critical here too. If I ever try any (dusky) jawfish again in the future, I will make sure there are no other bottom fish or pistol shrimp. Also, midwater fish need to play nice too; blue spots are fragile. I do think a mesh top is fine, though you will want the mesh to be fine as they are expert jumpers. Once they are happy in their burrow they don't really jump much though (but the odd stress event cannot be ignored). You have to target feed them twice a day. Anyway, I had one for about 3 months and he was my favorite fish ever, but one day he covered his burrow with a big piece of coral and never reappeared; I think he was ill and I think that came from stress. Very sad because they have so much personality.

 

[LKGRenegade22]

I must have an oddball then. He leaves his burrow and will challenge other fish for food. I've never had to target feed him. I have an active tank with multiple pistol shrimp and the BSJ has been in captivity for over 2 years and is fat and happy as can be.

 

[PDAlber]

Well, I was hoping for some more positve feedback. I had read somewhere that survival rates had improved. There is no way I could get my temps into the low to mid 70's without buying a chiller. I'm not inclined to spend hundreds of dollars on a chiller for a fish that might die in a matter of weeks. Its disappointing, because I regularly see nice specimens at the LFS, and the prices have really come down. A couple weeks ago I watched the clerk sell one to a guy that clearly had no idea how to take care of it.

 

[reppo13]

I must have an oddball then. He leaves his burrow and will challenge other fish for food. I've never had to target feed him. I have an active tank with multiple pistol shrimp and the BSJ has been in captivity for over 2 years and is fat and happy as can be.

Exact same thing with mine except I've had mine for around 4 years.

 

[PDAlber]

LKG and Reppo, what temps are you running in your tanks? What kind of lighting?