All fish / Opistognathidae

Moustache Jawfish

Opistognathus lonchurus

Also known as mustache jawfish, moustached jawfish, yellow jawfish, gold-spec jawfish, オピストグナトゥス・ロンチュルス, 后颌鰧

A slender jawfish with a large head, olive to yellowish body and a dark moustache-like mark above the upper jaw. It digs a burrow in the substrate and hovers at the entrance, which makes it a characterful choice for reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

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

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Florida and Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean and northern South America

Breeding

Males brood the eggs in their mouths until hatching. Captive spawning is uncommon, and raising the tiny larvae is difficult.

Good to know

Needs a deep bed of mixed sand and rubble at least 10 cm deep, plus a tight-fitting lid because jawfish often jump. It may squabble with other jawfish or burrowing fish.