Blue-Spotted Jawfish [IMG]

[angelsil]

We picked up a blue spotted jawfish this weekend. I've never kept these before, since I usually run a low-sandbed tank but our 46 has a DSB and Bob really wanted one. He spent the first 2 days hard at work burrowing and digging tunnels, but started to come out last night. He's really a riot.

 

[robthorn]

awesome fish I would love to have a breeding pair.

 

[h2joe]

Looks good. please keep us posted on his progress. also if i may inquire as to where you got him that would be great as ive always wanted to see one in person and none of the lfs around here ever have them....at least that ive seen.

thanks,

Mark

 

[robthorn]

there are people that say they are illegal to collect is why we don't see many around. I do not know if this is actually true or not. might want to ask the store you got it from if it's ok to post there name.

 

[angelsil]

This is what I was told:

They are brought in via a 'bycatch' loophole wherein it's illegal to go out fishing for blue spotted jawfish but it's not illegal to sell them if they 'happen to get caught' in the net while you're fishing for a legal fish. It's this reason that they are rarely seen and rather expensive. Despite the quasi-legal status of selling them, they seem to be prevalent on the Internet.

 

[robthorn]

I knew there was something just wasn't exactly sure of the specifics. just trying to keep people out of trouble just incase.

 

[Northtampatang]

I was also under the understanding that it all depends on the area that they were harvested in.


I had one foe a good while a year or so ago, but it proved to live up to its reputation as a jumper

 

[TAMike97]

Here is some info I found from a post on reefs.org...
I would love to have one of these though...

Legal sources are kept out of catching the abundant bluespot jawfish.
Legal fisherman don't pay the bribes required to get legal documents to put them over the top into the legal zone.
Only illegal bribes can get legal paperwork...
Smuggling however circumvents the arcane and corrupt legal process and is much more honest..
These in the market now are under the radar and not specifically declared on any documents.
They are here...so's pot, crack, Enrons debt etc. etc.
Steve
PS. Bluespots got banned as they were the favorite fish of one biologist from Mexico City. That biologist wanted to do a masters thesis on them so got them banned to insure a supply....to study.
They are found in massive colonies from Northern Sea of Cortez to the coast of Columbia and are in zero trouble from this trade. The range is 4 thousand miles including both sides of the Cortez coast.
Collecting zones are contained within 100 miles.

Actually, when you take out 20 large ones in a 40 foot by 15 foot colony you get 100 back,
Then you can watch the 100 diminish to 20 adults in 3 years as nature limits its own. The greatest threat to colonies are spawning triggerfish [ balistes polylepis]. Gangs of triggers roam , dig up and ravage jawfish colonies.

I worked on surveys for 5 years to understand what I know and have taught Mexcxian biologists enough to then turn around and grab the species for themselves to play with.
In many places....Real research has nothing to do with policy....nothing.
Steve
technical consultant, 1997-2003
Sociedad Co-operativa del Peces Tropicales, Ensenada Blanca, Loreto, BCS,Mexico

 

[fish4red]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7685194#post7685194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by h2joe
if i may inquire as to where you got him

? ? ?

 

[robthorn]

better not to say since there is confussion on collection legality.

 

[angelsil]

I do not feel comfortable posting where I got this, especially given the nature of this board lately.

I was just trying to share some fun pics =/

 

[fish4red]

i ask beacause I would like on myself but I understand