blue spot jawfish

[fishmanstan]

I have a 120g with a 3-5" sandbed and I want a sand sifter. I previously had a diamond goby, without a top and he jumped to overflow during wc and took pipe down to sump, then clogged my skimmer . I now am thinking of a blue spot jaw. I have heard they are hard to keep in tanks. My temp is around 78-79, but I can lower it to to 77. I was also thinking of getting a gold head sleeper goby....could these two coexist? Is there any other things I should know about them? I have a mesh top on my tank now. The person I get fish from said small bluespots are $80. Is this expensive?. Thanks in advance.

 

[scar79]

Not a bad price, but I'd avoid it if I were you. They just never seem to survive long term. I'd suggest trying a pearly jaw instead. There seems to be an inverse relationship between attractiveness and survivability in jawfish.


Also, jawfish aren't sand sifters. They build their burrow and stick to it. Diamonds, o-spots, and other sand sifting gobies will do the trick but can also make a mess.

 

[Fretfreak13]

$80 is a good price. I've seen them go for $120 haha.

I've never had one, but its one of my bucket list fish. From what I've read they are rather aggressive and are hard to keep because they are just not a hardy fish in general. I've seen some very experienced hobbyists still have them die on them.

I love jawfish. Pearly Jawfish are a lot hardier, stay smaller, and have a BUTTLOAD of personality. I would opt for one of them instead.

 

[michael_cb_125]

The main thing to remember is that a Blue Spot Jawfish is not a sand sifting fish. Yes they will move copious amounts of sand and rubble, but they do not feed from the sandbed as many gobies do.

I have personally kept this species with what I consider very good success. I had mine for a little over two years before losing him to my stupidity (leaving the tank uncovered for a few minutes). They can do very well provided they are given suitable habitat and tankmates. They do not do well with boisterous species, and need a laid back tank. Cooler water temps help as well.

Good Luck

~Michael

 

[fishmanstan]

Michael, what were your water temps? How deep was your sandbed?

 

[michael_cb_125]

I ran my reef at 76-77 and my sand bed was around 4 inches deep.
This was by far the most personable fish I have ever had. I actually got him to swim into my cupped hand and curl up. He would literally sit in my hand. I swear he thought he was an anthias, he rarely entered his burrow except at night. During the day he was out and about swimming in the water column.

But I can say that this was due to the fact that he was EXTREMELY comfortable with his surroundings. Like I said previously, these fish can and will do well if given the proper care*.

(Provided a properly collected, healthy specimen is acquired)

~Michael

 

[fishmanstan]

Michael, what did yours eat? Is $80 a good price for one?

 

[michael_cb_125]

Mine would eat literally anything that I put in the tank. He was not a picky eater by any means. As far as bluespot jawfish go, $80 is a great price for one. But always remember that bargain fish are not always a bargain. I paid $150 for mine from Live Aquaria, and I do believe that the conditioning he received while in their care played a huge role in my success. If I were to ever purchase another it would be from Kevin Kohen at Live Aquaria....

~Michael

 

[fishyguy7]

I currently have one in my tank and it eats any kind of food I put in my tank. As was mentioned earlier be sure to have a cover on your tank and your overflow or you will find him carpet surfing:thumbdown

 

[fishmanstan]

I am not getting one unless the goldhead sleeper goby I ordered dies. Other people with the blue spot jawfish please tell me what it was or is like to keep one.

 

[ClustaAZ]

I have had two, one jumped, this prompted me to build a screen over the top of my aquarium. The second got beat up by a diamond spotted goby in my tank.