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>

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 percula's 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>