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FAQs about Jawfishes, Family Opistognathidae 2
Related Articles: Jawfishes,
Related FAQs: Jawfishes 1,
Blue-Spotted Jawfish,
Pearly Jawfish, &
Jawfish Identification, Jawfish
Behavior, Jawfish Compatibility,
Jawfish Selection, Jawfish Systems,
Jawfish Feeding, Jawfish Disease,
Jawfish Reproduction, |
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Sick blue spotted Jawfish: Jawfish Health\Compatibility +
Overstocked + Aggression + Crypt 7/22/2009
Hello and a "thank you" in advance for your help......
<Hi Trisha.>
I know you're going to ask so here are our stats:
90 gallon with ~75 lbs of live rock, 20 or 30 gallon fuge using bio
balls, red sea protein skimmer, 25 gamma watt UV sterilizer (been on for
about 2 weeks) stocked with a Sailfin tang, baby hippo, royal Gramma,
two clownfish, 6 line wrasse and the blue spotted Jawfish.
<Crowded tank.>
The hippo broke out with some ich a few weeks ago and we started with
the vitamin c and garlic.
<Not a cure. Do read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichartmar.htm and
here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm >
It cleared up and then reappeared, so we got the UV sterilizer and we
know that this isn't a cure for it but can possibly help. It has not
cleared up and the Gramma has been seen with a few spots on his tail.
<You are going to have to treat the Crypt and soon.>
We are doing ~weekly water changes and our water parameters are as
follows:
Ph 8.04 (added a bit of buffer)
ammonia: 0
phosphates: 0
nitrites: 0
nitrate: .5
Alk = 9.2
salinity 1.025 (measured with a refractometer)
mag: 1280
calcium: 410
<All good.>
I have been unable to catch the hippo to do a freshwater dip or QT but
now our Jawfish is very sick. He has what appears to be torn fins and
something going on with his skin. His breathing is somewhat labored but
he is still eating.
<Has he ever constructed a burrow? Your substrate may not be to his
liking. Also, are you sure that none of the other fish, particularly the
clownfish or the wrasse are beating up on the Jawfish?>
We set up a hospital tank for him with a few PVC pipes so he'd have
places to hide and then placed him in the hospital tank after he was
sitting in the middle of the tank not moving much. He has ate a bit in
the tank and his breathing has somewhat calmed down.
<Likely aggression in the main tank.>
I am attaching photos to see if you can identify the problem. Some are
from our tank and some are from his hospital tank.
<He does look better in the hospital tank.>
On an extra note, I'm a little worried about a "emerald crab" we have,
<Another potential Jawfish bully.>
I've seen him a few times and he looks more brownish than green.
<Without a picture, I can't tell, but Emerald Mithrax crabs do have
color variations. Further, no crab is ever to be trusted completely.>
I'm wondering if the on-line company we ordered from sent us another
type of crab and it is ,for lack of a better word, mean to the Jawfish
and does not belong in our tank.
<It is likely a Mithrax crab
Any ideas how to catch this crab?
<http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mithraxfaqs.htm>
I tried bating him with a piece of shrimp but he held on to the rock
like he was Arnold S. and I wasn't successful with getting him out of
there. The reason I'm saying this about the crab is because the Jawfish
hasn't ever really decided on a home, he kept on changing and a few
times I found him just sitting in the corner.
<This is a clue here: Jawfish need to burrow, and if they cannot, they
get stressed. It may not like your substrate.>
I know they need a 360 view so I had set up a few PVC pipes so he could
have that but he never adopted them for a home.
<Some will, some won't.>
Currently, he is in a 5 gallon hospital tank with a air-stone and a
small hang over filter.
How often should I be doing water changes-if he makes it-and how long
should he be in there?
<Water changes daily and he cannot be in there for long.
What should I be giving him as far as medications.
<None>
My LFS gave me something for him saying he thought it might be
bacterial, but this is just from what we were describing. I apologize
that I can't tell you what it is as I didn't go in, I had another fish
friend helping me out while I tried to get the hospital tank cleaned and
ready.
They said to throw the syringe out and it was amber colored-copper
perhaps?
<No, copper medication is normally blue-green.>
I'm sorry-I know I loaded you up with questions. Thank you for your time
and response.
<You have a few issues here. First, you have crypt (ich) in your system
- you need to get that taken care of. Second, you have a few fish that
are inappropriate for a 90 gallon, as they will get too big in time. At
this point, I would return the Jawfish to the store particularly in
light of how expensive they are, until you get the other issues in your
tank resolved.>
Thanks
worriedfishowner
<MikeV>
Jawfish (Pearly), gen. 08/18/2008
Hi all,
<<Afternoon,
Andrew today>>
I started with this whole saltwater thing because of
my interest and fondness of Jawfish. My hubby is a "oh how colorful and
pretty", let's buy it kind of guy. I have a 30Gal saltwater tank with an
Emerald crab, a Dragon Goby, the Nemo fish, a chocolate chip starfish,
Royal Gramma (hubby's idea) and my lovely little angel, the Pearly
Jawfish.
<<Would suggest removal of the choc chip....tank size /
environment not suitable>>
Now I'm not sure my Jawfish was happy with
the acclimation process or the drive home for as I was acclimating him
he was breathing quite heavy and opening his mouth as if to say I'm
angry! He made one swoop around the tank after introducing him and
planted himself in the corner atop the sandbed and stayed there for 4
hours. My other fish did not bother with him in the least bit and there
he stayed.
<<Sounds like its stressed out to me>>
Seeing as
though the LFS was now closed I decided to wait, and a few minutes ago I
peered in with a flashlight and my Jawfish had nestled in to the corner
of the tank. Not a burrow per say, but a gulley. Is this normal? Will my
prize possession take hold?
<<"should" be fine. Sometimes do take a
while to settle in.>>
All of my water levels are on spot, my water
temperature is nearly always at 76 degrees and the salinity is 1.023. I
have 4 inches of yummy substrate for him and 6" in some spots with lots
of bits of shells and other things for him to steal to make a home.
<<Sounds like a nice sandbed for the fish>>
Could you please advise
as to the tank mates and for the future, is the Gramma to aggressive of
an eater to keep a Jawfish in there?
<<Stocking wise, your at your
limits, in my opinion>>
I always monitor feeding to the second to
make sure my goby gets a bit of food as the Gramma eats everything up in
nano seconds. If my Jawfish lives I intend on feeding it directly the
mysis as soon as it decides where it will reside but I'm concerned now
that it is not making a burrow? Should I be concerned?
<<Give it
time, should be ok, if its in good health>>
BTW...awesome, awesome
site. You guys/gals are the fish gods as far as I'm concerned.
<<Just
mere mortals here, helping the fishy hobby along as best we can, thanks
for the kind words>>
Laurie-
<<Hope the above helps Laurie, good
luck with the new addition. A Nixon>>
Re: Jawfish (Pearly) 08/19/2008
I have some good news today,
<<Wooohoooo>>
it looks like my Pearly Jawfish made it through with a
little help from me. After laying in the corner all night my Jawfish
made his way to the front of the tank and started to dig a hole there. I
fed them some mysis shrimp and he managed to grab a couple of chunks.
<<Absolutely superb.. Do continue to feed at the entrance>>
I started
a little burrow for him closer to the rocks and put a small pile of
rubble for him there...he took right to it, he dug it out some climbed
in and barricaded himself in. I will be giving the Chocolate chip
starfish back to the LFS and I am happy with the current setup I have,
thank you for your quick reply and I'll enjoy reading some more of your
webpage, very informative!
<<Really wonderful that the Jawfish has
started to act "normally". Great news. Glad to hear about the choc chip
as well, a wise decision. Good luck with your aquarium. A Nixon>>
Laurie-
Re: Jawfish (Pearly) 08/21/2008
Hi again,
<<Hello Laurie>>
This kind of rolls into the same information so I'm going to ask away!
At first...my Dragon Goby kind of hung out around the Jawfish as if it
was "protecting it" now he hangs around my jawfish's burrow's (yes,
that's plural...Yay) he sneaks in the back way harassing it. I hate to
speculate because I'm a newby at this hobby, but gosh, it sure seems
that the Dragon is upset that my Pearly can dig too. The goby did go
over and dig his "burrow" quite a bit deeper on the other side but
insists on knocking at Pearls door. Are fish equip with the personality
to be "jealous?" It just seems to me that my goby is trying to "outdo"
the Jawfish so to speak. You don't think the goby would sneak into his
burrow and hurt him do you? And to let you know, my Jawfish is holding
his own when it comes to feeding time, it rushes right out to snatch a
few pieces and tears right back to his burrow. I still baby him and use
a straw to at least get one or two
pieces to him right off until the
water takes it away, but if he's still hungry he has no problem
venturing out. I'm happy.
<<I can understand a few confrontational
issues between these, but, as their "homes" are at opposite ends of the
tank, should be fine once they have settled down together. Just ensure
that the Jawfish continues to receive adequate food, should be fine.>>
Laurie-
<<Thanks for the follow-up. A Nixon>> Marine
Compatibility - 05/20/2006
Good evening,
<Good morning.>
Would a pair of Yellowheaded Jawfish as well as a pair of Firefish get
along alright together?
<Given space, I don't see why
not.>
I have a 90 gallon tank with just over 100 lbs of large porous
liverock (lotsa hiding places). As well, I have a deep sand bed
averaging about 5.5" or so.
<Do please keep in mind that
Jawfish dig.... a lot.... so hopefully there's some good space for
them to burrow. On the other hand, hopefully they don't choose to
burrow under your rockwork if it's likely to fall.>
I also have a
yellow-watchman goby, small regal tang, and a pair of percula
clowns. Am also thinking about getting a Royal Gramma. Should these be
compatible?
<For the most part, yes; I would be a little
concerned for the Firefish and how timid they are at feeding - you may
need to pay very careful, special attention to them at feeding
time. The Jawfish may need some special attention, as well. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/jawfishe.htm
.>
And is it a good idea to get the two sets of pairs as mentioned
above? -D
<I don't see any further concerns than what I just
stated.... You'll want to try to get male/female combos, but if you
don't, I think this tank is large enough for two of the same gender of
either of these species to find and maintain a territory. Wishing you
well, -Sabrina>
Jawfish - MIA? - 09/15/2005
Thank
you for a wonderful website.
<Glad to be of service!>
My
question is about my Jawfish. I put it in about 1 month ago and it was
visible for about 2 weeks. It has since disappeared. My substrate
seems to have received a work-over during the night on a regular
basis. Substrate is continuously moved and piled up in different
places. Is it possible for this fish to be alive and living under the
substrate where it cannot be seen or is something else doing the
construction work? Please help.
<It is possible that the Jawfish is
still around, perhaps doing his work at times that he isn't or can't be
observed, and remaining well-hidden much of the time. Of course, it is
entirely possible that something else is doing the remodeling. Not
knowing anything about your system or what you've got in it, there is no
way for us to know. Sneak out at night after lights-out on the tank
with a flashlight with a red film over it, and see if you can find the
Jawfish - or another culprit - doing some late-night
redecorating. Wishing you well, -Sabrina> Jawfish
I got a
Jawfish from the Marine Center about a week ago. I put him in
quarantine. The Marine Center says that the fish was there for 3-4 weeks
and was eating and in their own quarantine. I have a Tupperware
container with some sand and various PVC pipes and he has mostly been
hiding behind the container. There is no sign of illness, but he won't
eat except for the live brine I offered him today.
<What have you
tried that he has refused? I would attempt frozen Mysis shrimp,
bloodworms, and Sweetwater Zooplankton.>
If it weren't so
anthropomorphic I would say he looks sad or depressed. Any thoughts on
the subject?
<Try other foods.>
Should I end the quarantine early?
<I would not.>
Perhaps in another week? --des/Jane
<After two
weeks total with no sign of disease, ok. -Steven Pro>
Dwarf lionfish questions 7/28/05
I have a well-established 46
gallon tank. Currently I have 2 Percula Clowns, 1 Chocolate Chip
starfish and a Coral Banded Shrimp (approx. 2 inches long). < Sounds
like a barren tank, and mostly a FOWLR. > I am interested in getting
a Dwarf Lionfish but am concerned about its compatibility. < Well I
think you should be okay. I've seen a few of them in tanks with
coral banded shrimp and clownfish. I don't think I would buy the
biggest dwarf lion and keep it with baby clownfish, but in general I
think this sounds fine. > How large does a Dwarf Lionfish grow to be
and would it harm or eat any of my current fish? < Grow to about 5
inches, and if well fed with a variety of frozen foods it should be
worry free. > Thanks
Mark
< Blundell > <<Sooner or later
he'll suck'em up brah. RMF>> |
FAQ daily question that was asked 8/7/05
Minimum tank
size for a dwarf lionfish 8/6/05
I bought a 24 Gal Nano Cube
that I was going to have for Saltwater. The only thing I
want in there is a fuzzy dwarf lion fish.
< That is a very small
tank. But if you plan to have one and only one fish, you may be
okay. >
I have been getting mixed opinions on if the tank is
to small and I've decided to ask the experts!
< Well that is
a tough call. Personally I wouldn't do it, but I think it
can easily be done. >
Would this size tank be fine for
him/her? I lied. I also want a yellowhead Jawfish. Would they be
fine
together?
< Fine together, and probably okay in that
size tank. Too bad you already made the purchase, as a 55
gal would be much better. >
This was posted on the faq, in
my limited understanding, wouldn't' a Jawfish either stay in
its burrow in this tank or be food for the lion.
<Yes>
I'm just picturing that small a tank, that as soon as
Jawfish
pokes its head out, it would be gone.
Plus if you make a
sandbed adequately deep enough for that jaw, you wouldn't have
enough room for the lion to swim about?
<Hee! We are in
agreement... totally. Bob Fenner>
Blundell is far more
knowledgeable than I, but thought this response odd.
<I as
well> |
Re: faq daily question that was asked 08/08/2005
You
both may certainly be correct. I wouldn't think a dwarf lion
would take out a Jawfish. But I guess it may.
<Will...
definitely, in time. Dang Pteroines should be called
"suck-em-ups" commonly>
Although I do agree that this size
tank is just way too small. The fish may live and grow, but
that just can't be a happy life for them.
Blundell
<Mmm,
okay. BobF> |
Dusky
Jawfish
eggs 8/3/05
I have had 2 dusky Jawfish for a year and now
I notice 1 of them (the male) has a mouthful of eggs. Have not
noticed them before, but he has turned darker on his head. Anyway,
to assure that some, if not all of these eggs have a chance in my
reef tank, I am asking you for suggestions. I have a Sailfin tang,
a blue tang, a coral beauty, a niger trigger,2 percula clowns, 2
green Chromis, a fairy wrasse, a psychedelic mandarin ,a cleaner shrimp
and a hitchhiker crab; some of which would love to get there little jaws
around some small live meals. What is the best way to raise some
Jawfish in captivity?
Dr. Ron Widen
<Really need to be
moved... via the male mouthbrooding parent, to another system to avoid
predation, and foods cultured for... Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/jawfishe.htm
and the Related FAQs
file linked above, the references cited... Bob Fenner>
New
Jawfish HELP 7/20/05
I just picked up a new Jawfish. The LFS
identified it as a Yellow Jawfish, however, after looking at your
site, it is described as "Opistognathus sp. U1" an unidentified
species. It looks just like the picture to the far right of your
description.
The LFS had it in a tank with triggers and aggressive
fish. I have an aggressive tank, and they said it would be fine. The
LFS had the fish for about a month and it was doing well and eating.
It had built a burrow and looked very feisty.
Has anything else
been discovered about this fish? I have a Huma Trigger, a Koran
Angel, a Yellow Tang, Snowflake Eel, Lionfish, and a Possum Wrasse
in my tank. Was I given the wrong advice? <If it were me, this fish
would be in a docile tank where it would be more relaxed and more likely
to get it's share of food. You would also see more activity in the
fish. Amy, do a Google search on the WWM, keyword, "Jawfish", and
read. James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks! <You're welcome>
Amy
Jawfish 06/08/05
Hey,
I have a problem regarding the newly
introduced Jawfish. It is an undescribed species, but it keeps on
digging holes, and the elegant corals all fall in!?! Is there any way to
stop the Jawfish from digging so many holes from random spots?
<<
That is what Jawfish will do. They love to burrow and that is what they
do naturally. So there is really no way to stop them. Unless they find
a really nice place that they like they will keep making the burrows>>
Thanks~ <<No problem.. EricS>> Jawfish Compatibility - 05/08/09
Greetings WWM folk, hope all is well!
Ok, so here goes. I recently
set up a 75 gal saltwater tank with about 25 lbs live rock and about a 4
inch sand bed. The first inhabitants were a pair of tank-bred
Perculas
that I kept in a 12 gallon Eclipse. They're doing great. Then I added
about 9 green Chromis. They are a very inexpensive fish and look great
schooling. So far everyone is happy. Well the whole point of the tank
was to house pearly Jawfish, maybe 4 or 5.
<Jawfish can be very
territorial, I don't think you'll get away with this many in this size
tank. In fact, I think the problem you describe below is attributable
to aggression between the two Jawfish you have now.>
So far I have 2
living there but they've had complete opposite reactions to their
surroundings.
<As already stated, more likely reactions to each
other.>
They both took to burrowing, however one can usually be seen
spitting sand out of his hole whereas the other never comes out at
all. I can see the shy one hiding in his hole behind his little "door"
but it's been a week and I don't think he has eaten. I understand you
can't keep Jawfish with fast swimmers but I've searched high and low, on
this and many other sites, and can't find any ideal tankmates. Any
ideas?
<Tank mates should be of a "peaceful" nature, which in my
book, clowns are not. Have you had a read here yet? http://www.wetwebmedia.com/jawfaqs.htm>
Pudge
<Regards, Eric R.> Indescribable.. I mean Undescribed
Jawfish...?
Hello! I recently purchased a Jawfish that was
labeled a Black Cap Jawfish, however, after searching your site, I see
it labeled as a U1 undescribed Jawfish. Has this fish been IDd yet?
Thank you,
Jim
<Mmm, maybe... I do recall seeing some that had
been recently described. Maybe give a read over on fishbase.org on the
family Opistognathidae... Bob Fenner> Re: Jawfish
Thanks
for the response Bob! I checked that site and although it turned up
loads of info, I didn't see anything on this particular Jawfish, unless
I missed it, but I don't think so. I more curious now than ever!
Any more info/leads you can provide would be greatly appreciated...
Jim
<Mmm, none other than Dr. Jack Randall has stated to me that he
has more than a dozen undescribed species of these fishes... from the
tropical Indo-Pacific... You might want to email him with pix... Bob
Fenner> Re: Jawfishes ID
Jim:
The person to contact
about Jawfishes is Dr. William F. Smith-Vaniz. He's the one who has many
new species to described (and has been sitting on them far too long).
His e-mail:
Bill_Smith-Vaniz@usgs.gov
<Thanks much Jack, mahalo, Bob Fenner
over in Holualoa, mauka of Kona...> |
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