All fish / Opistognathidae

Yellowhead Jawfish

Opistognathus aurifrons

Also known as yellow head jawfish, yellow-headed jawfish, pearly jawfish, pearly jaw fish, jawfish, jaw fish, yellowheaded jawfish, イエローヘッドジョーフィッシュ, 黄头后颌鱼, 黄头叉鼻鱼

A slender, pale bluish fish with a bright yellow head that digs a vertical burrow in the sand and hovers above it, darting in tail first when alarmed. It is kept for its endearing behaviour and because it is reef safe and peaceful.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair; small groups only in large tanks with plenty of burrow space

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, copepods, chopped seafood and quality frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Florida, Bahamas and the Caribbean to northern South America

Breeding

Males brood the eggs in their mouths for about a week until they hatch. Captive spawning is fairly common in pairs, but rearing the tiny larvae needs rotifers and copepods and is challenging.

Good to know

Needs a deep sand bed of at least 8 to 10 cm with mixed rubble, and a tightly fitted lid because jawfish often jump out. Avoid housing with aggressive fish or those that pick at sand dwellers.