Yellowhead Jawfish
(Opistognathus aurifrons)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: dKH 8-12, 72-82° F, sg 1.021-1.023
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Opistognathidae

The Yellowhead Jawfish, also known as the Yellow Head Jawfish or Yellow-headed Pearly Jawfish, has a yellow head and a light blue-green body. It inhabits the sandy, rubble-strewn areas on the reefs of the tropical Western Atlantic, and is found in close proximity to its burrow or cave. The Yellowhead Jawfish can attain a length of 5 inches in the wild, and up to 4 inches in an aquarium.

The Yellowhead Jawfish is a cute fish with a great personality. They are playful and like to people watch.

The Yellowhead Jawfish is moderately hardy. It tends to be shy and is best kept with other docile fish. It will not bother other tank inhabitants, but other burrowing fish may bully it. It needs to be kept on 5-7 inches of fine soft substrate such as sand of various particle sizes (not fine). Known for being a jumper when startled or frightened, the tank should have a tight-fitting lid. This fish will spend much of its time in its burrow and when it does venture out, if it is startled, it will bolt back into its burrow tail first with lightning speed. As long as the tank is large enough, several can be kept in the same tank. Multiple specimens provide very interesting behavior as they “dance” up and down in the burrow. Supply various size rocks among the soft substrate to help reinforce the burrows against them; rockpiles are ideal.

Although other jawfish may exhibit color variations during breeding, the Yellowhead Jawfish does not. One differentiating characteristic is that since it is a mouth breeder, the male will hold the eggs in his mouth.

The Yellowhead Jawfish is typically a shy feeder, eating very small live foods that wander near its burrow in the wild. In the tank, it can be enticed with small pieces of mussel, daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, or other meaty foods. Eventually, prepared foods can be offered. Feeding must be done near the burrow.

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Dusky Jawfish
(Opistognathus whitehurstii)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Lighting: Moderate
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Black, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Opistognathidae
Reproduction: Mouth Brooder
Swim Level: Bottom

The Dusky Jawfish has a body that is thickly mottled with shades of dark brown and flecked with blackish spots. The caudal fin and posterior part of the dorsal fin are yellow with rows of small blackish dots.

It requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with rock, small pieces of shell, and loose coral rubble as part of the aquascape, and a sand bottom for burrowing. The tank should be equipped with a tight-fitting lid, since it is a jumper. It should be kept with docile tank mates. Multiple Dusky Jawfish can be housed together in a large tank where they can establish their own territories.

The diet of the Dusky Jawfish should consist of a variety of marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysis shrimp.

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Black Cap Jawfish
(Opistoganthus randalli)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Black, Green, Orange, Tan
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Opistognathidae

The head and body of the Black Cap Jawfish, are green with faint orange stripes. It has a black spot on the dorsal fin, as well as a black cap on top of the head.

It should reside in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent it from jumping out, and at least 3 inches of mixed substrate for burrowing. It poses a possible threat to small shrimp.

The Black Cap Jawfish is hardy and will spawn successfully in an aquarium.

The diet should consist of a variety of marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysis shrimp. It prefers to be fed at least three times per day.

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Blue Dot Jawfish
(Opistognathus rosenblatti)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, KH 8-12
Max. Size: 3½”
Color Form: Blue, Orange
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Mexico
Family: Opistognathidae
Reproduction: Egg Layer
Swim Level: Bottom

The Blue Dot Jawfish, also known as the Bluespotted Jawfish, was first discovered in the Tropical Eastern Atlantic in 1991 by Allen and Robertson. Its head and body are orange with irregular-shaped blue spots.

It should be kept in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with docile tank mates and at least 3 inches of mixed substrate for burrowing. These fish are very aggressive towards others of their own species, so only one specimen, or a mated pair, should be kept per tank. The Blue Dot Jawfish is known to be a jumper, so it is best kept in an aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape.

The diet should consist of a variety of marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysid shrimp. It should be fed at least three times per day.

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