Pearly jawfish

[ttam]

Recently got a pearly jawfish for my 45 gallon reef. He originally build two depressions in the back corners of the tank. The one in between/under two rocks.
When my lights turned on tonight he started swimming towards the top of the tank looking for a place to jump. He is pretty skinny but his belly isn't caved in.
I have 4" of sand but he has yet to build a home.
Why hasn't he built a solid home yet? It has been 4-5 days now.
Any info would very much appreciated.
Tank you and sorry for the long post.

 

[oldbones]

What kind of sand/substrate? Is there varying sizes of rubble mixed in? Room under rocks for tunnels?

 

[water is wet]

What kind of sand/substrate? Is there varying sizes of rubble mixed in? Room under rocks for tunnels?

This!

Sometimes it can take them day's or even weeks to find a permanent spot. I've had 3 for almost 4 month's and 1 of them still doesn't stay in the same spot.

 

[ttam]

There is some room but the rocks are sitting on the bottom of the tank so the don't collapse. I have some rubble but need to get more. Hopefully he settles in soon.

 

[ginpang]

1/8 inch or 3 to 5 mm crushed coral works well with a mix of sand.

 

[alton]

I use Carribsea Super Reef, but since you have so much sand maybe adding Florida crushed coral or super coarse from Carribsea.

 

[ttam]

How many pounds of the Florida crushed coral do you think?

 

[alton]

How many pounds of the Florida crushed coral do you think?

Just a small bag 10 to 15lbs. In my 65 I only have half of the tank setup with an area for a jawfish, not the whole tank