Yellowhead Jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons)

The Yellowhead Jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) is one of the most entertaining fish in the marine hobby. It hovers vertically above a burrow it digs and maintains in the sand bed, darting back down tail-first at the first sign of trouble. With a soft powder-blue body and a glowing yellow head, this peaceful, reef-safe fish brings constant personality to an established aquarium.

Round out your reef with the rest of our saltwater livestock and marine fish.

Care Guide

• Deep sand bed is a must. Provide at least 3 to 4 inches of mixed-grain aragonite sand with some small rubble, shells, or crushed coral. The jawfish uses these pieces to build and reinforce its burrow, and without enough depth it will be stressed and exposed.
• Cover the tank tightly. Jawfish are accomplished jumpers. A tight-fitting lid or mesh screen top is essential. This is the single most common way these fish are lost.
• Tank size: A 30 gallon (or larger) established marine system with stable water and plenty of open sand works best.
• Water parameters: Temperature 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, dKH 8 to 12. Keep parameters stable, as with any marine fish.
• Feeding: A carnivore that loves meaty foods. Offer frozen mysis and brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality marine pellets or flakes. Feed small portions two to three times daily, especially for a newly added fish.

Specifications

Compatibility

Yellowhead Jawfish are peaceful and reef-safe, making them excellent community members alongside other calm marine fish and invertebrates. Keep just one per tank unless you have a bonded pair, since they can squabble with their own kind in close quarters. Avoid large or aggressive tank mates that may bully them or block access to their burrow. Good companions include:

• Black Darwin Ocellaris Clownfish
• Purple Firefish Goby
• Neon Blue Goby
• A reef cleanup crew such as Nassarius Snails and a Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Seachem NutriDiet Marine Flakes for daily feeding
• Vitalis Marine Grazing Pellets for variety
• Frozen mysis and brine shrimp, plus finely chopped meaty seafood
• A tight-fitting lid or mesh screen top, and a few inches of mixed aragonite sand and rubble for burrowing

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a lid?
Yes. Yellowhead Jawfish jump, and an open-top tank is the most common reason they are lost. A tight lid or mesh screen top is not optional with this fish.

How deep does the sand need to be?
Aim for at least 3 to 4 inches of mixed-grain sand with some small rubble or shell pieces. The jawfish digs a vertical burrow and lines the entrance, so depth and a few building materials matter.

Are they reef safe?
Yes. They will not bother corals or invertebrates. They simply need open sand to dig in, so plan your aquascape with a clear sand area.

Can I keep more than one?
Keep a single specimen unless you have a bonded pair. Multiple jawfish in a smaller tank will often quarrel over burrow territory.