Opistognathus aurifrons Yellowhead jawfish
Commonly known as the yellowhead jawfish or yellow headed pearly jawfish, these fish are native to the tropical Western Atlantic. They live in sandy areas of the reef, normally surrounded by coral rubble. These fish are fascinating architects, and construct caves in which they will reside. In the home aquarium they will normally only show their head poking out of their burrow, and will rarely show much else. It is a treat when they do come out, so the aquarist can view its beautiful pearly white and blue body. It usually only comes out to feed, and can return to its burrow at the blink of an eye.
Due to its need to burrow and construct a home, it should be kept in a tank with a mixed substrate of fine, soft sand and coral rubble. They normally fare better with docile tankmates, since more aggressive fish may prevent them from venturing from their burrow to feed. More than one can be kept in a large tank, and in fact they may form groups in one area of the tank. In the tank, they are very comical
inhabitants as they dance in and out of their burrow.
The jawfish can reach up to 4 inches or so. They will readily spawn in captivity, and the male will incubate the eggs in his mouth. He will "swish" the eggs around in his mouth to oxygenate them and also as a means of protection.
As mentioned above, these fish are timid feeders, and may need to be directly fed with food placed near their burrow. They will accept various prepared and frozen foods designed for carnivores. Small pieces of mussel, mysid shrimp, or other meaty flesh may need to be offered in the beginning to help acclimate the fish to prepared foods.
These fish are reef safe (typically). As flesh eaters, larger specimens may be a danger to smaller shrimp,
but this would not be the general rule.
Commonly known as the yellowhead jawfish or yellow headed pearly jawfish, these fish are native to the tropical Western Atlantic. They live in sandy areas of the reef, normally surrounded by coral rubble. These fish are fascinating architects, and construct caves in which they will reside. In the home aquarium they will normally only show their head poking out of their burrow, and will rarely show much else. It is a treat when they do come out, so the aquarist can view its beautiful pearly white and blue body. It usually only comes out to feed, and can return to its burrow at the blink of an eye.
Due to its need to burrow and construct a home, it should be kept in a tank with a mixed substrate of fine, soft sand and coral rubble. They normally fare better with docile tankmates, since more aggressive fish may prevent them from venturing from their burrow to feed. More than one can be kept in a large tank, and in fact they may form groups in one area of the tank. In the tank, they are very comical
inhabitants as they dance in and out of their burrow.
The jawfish can reach up to 4 inches or so. They will readily spawn in captivity, and the male will incubate the eggs in his mouth. He will "swish" the eggs around in his mouth to oxygenate them and also as a means of protection.
As mentioned above, these fish are timid feeders, and may need to be directly fed with food placed near their burrow. They will accept various prepared and frozen foods designed for carnivores. Small pieces of mussel, mysid shrimp, or other meaty flesh may need to be offered in the beginning to help acclimate the fish to prepared foods.
These fish are reef safe (typically). As flesh eaters, larger specimens may be a danger to smaller shrimp,
but this would not be the general rule.