Rare Jawfish Pics Included

[Sigmund]

Here are some pics of a few of my Jawfish that are rarely available in the aquarium trade.

Ring-Eye Jawfish acts much like a Dusky in that it rarely leaves it's burrow or hovers above the burrow. Sits with only head exposed waiting for something to come by to eat. Ring around the eye is almost iridescent. Camera doesn't pick it up that well. This is a small jawfish that won't get much bigger than about 3 inches.

Pastel or Swordtail Jawfish is a very reclusive jawfish. More than any jawfish I have ever had. Prefer more of a sandy mix than the coarse rubble of most jawfish. Builds more of a mound around an under a rock then the normal caves that other jawfish build. Can't see from the picture but fins are exaggerately extended almost like a sailfin molly. Anal fin is extended and shaped like a sword, thus the nickname.

Hope you enjoy the pics and the info....

 

[seapug]

Cool. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Ruskin]

Neat pics. I just got my Yellowhead and could see him easily becoming a favourite of mine. Thanks for sharing.

 

[basser1]

Those are very nice! I think jawfish in general have personalities all their own and are some of the neatest fish out there. I know my family and friend s enjot watching my blue spots' antics!

BTW, where did you get them, on-line or your LFS?

 

[Sigmund]

basser1,

Agree with you on the personality of jawfish comment. Although I love my wrasses and Angels, I find that Jawfish are some of the most interesting and intelligent fish I have kept.

I got both of these in LFS in Michigan. I put my name on waiting lists for any Jawfish that comes across their orders sheets that is out of the ordinary. I have kept (Dusky, Bluespot, Tiger, Pearly, Blackcap and Bullseye) jawfish in the past. This is the first time I have kept either a Ring-Eye or a Pastel.

Still on the lookout for a Red jawfish or a Variegated jawfish, have only seen pictures, have never seen one live before.

Good luck with your Bluespot. Keep your temp below 80F, and keep a tight lid on the top, if you do these two things you will have better long term luck. No jawfish can jump, and find the small space in your cover like a bluespot...

 

[ejrabekoff]

Beautiful fish. I love jawfish. How long have you had them?

 

[basser1]

Thanks Sigmund! I've had my blue spot since Christmas, he was a gift to me from my family! I do have a cover on the tank and I'm real cautious whenever I do water changes or work in the tank. So far he's doing great and eats really well! Here's a pic waving to you:

 

[Sigmund]

ejrabekoff,
Had them both about 8 months now. The Pastel Jaw was the size of a small Pearly when I got him, now he is about 3 inches. The Ring-Eye has grown about an inch as well.

I wish I could get a better picture of the Pastel Jawfish, his coloring is like a translucent silver with white stripes, and his eyes are this reflective blue that makes him look like some time of un-dead fish back from the grave. My wife says it reminds her of the Dementors from the Harry Potters books.

basser1,
Nice pic of the blue spot, great coloring on him, I really like the ones that have a lot of yellow in their coloring. Continued luck with him....

 

[Sigmund]

Well it took almost 3 years but I finally stumbled across the jawfish I have been looking for. It was called in the LFS a Green Sided Jawfish, I have also seen them listed as a Variegated Jawfish. Pic below is not of mine as I just got him and he is building his burrow and too shy to get a pic right now.

Anyone ever had one of these before? Any first hand experience with this species?

 

[Sigmund]

Day 1

Day 1

New Jawfish has taken up residence with my Blue-Spot Jawfish. 6ft of tank and they are three inches from each other. My general experience with jawfish for the last 10years is that they do not care to be close to one another, but my BSJ has a burrow that has about 6 different holes and they seem to be hanging out with no aggression at all. I am skeptical this will last, but interesting for right now.

The genus species for the Green Sided / Variegated jawfish appears to be Opistognathus solorensis. I have read some accounts that the ones with the blue green sides are females, and the red headed, sometimes called chesnut are males. This being said I cannot say I have heard this from a reputable source. The fish I got was collected from South East Asia.

Anyone else hear this before?

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

red jawfish

red jawfish

I have kept a red jawfish which is probably verrrry close to this one...

One time I had a red and 2 yellow heads in the same tank....

The red would INVADE the yellow head's den....

I looked...one of the yellows was hanging out of the red jawfish's mouth!

So...I do not think you want to put a yellow headed jawfish in with
that one..he looks ready to eat other jawfish possibly....

Nice fish though....for sure not seen often.

cONGRATS.

Tim

 

[Enyo]

Thanks for sharing, definitely interesting.

The Green Sided looks like an artist's paint pallet!

I got a Blue Spot last week that has a lot of yellow compared to most. From correspondences with LiveAquaria, the more yellowed ones (not-so dark tail) are thought to be either juvenile or male.

I would like to pick your brain concerning my bluespot sometime!

 

[inselaffe]

I have two friends who have the green sided ones, both mainly stay in there burrows and dont do much, we also had allot of red ones in last year in England. I went for a bluespot which im sad to say didn't make it. When i finish setting up y new tank i am looking at getting at least 6 yellow heads.

On a side note have you ever kept a pistol shrimp in the same tank as a jawfish? if so what was the outcome?

 

[somosomo]

I have kept a pistol shrimp with a pearly jawfish. I should say I tried to. Day 1 was fine on Day two the jawfish had large gashes on his body. I tried to remove him but couldnt catch him. On day 4 he disappeared. The shrimp was established in the 75 already with his goby. Maybe if they were introduced at the same time or of the jawfish was introduced first it would work. Or also if the tank was bigger..

 

[inselaffe]

thanks i wont bother i will keep the pistol in the nano unless i hear of lots of other people who have had success.