Jawfish Tank?

joel_u · 03/11/2010, 06:05 PM

Hi folks,

I'm past the initial starting-up phase with my new tank and have just recently added a yellow-headed jawfish, who is really cool! I know that I'll have to wait a bit before I'm sure that he's going to be successful and thrive, but I'm really enjoying what I'm seeing so far.

So, I'm wondering if I should make my tank into a JF community....anyone have something like that?

Tank is a "40 Regular" with a 36"x15" footprint. I have a sump and a pretty decent amount of equipment. Could I aim towards having 3-4 JF? I already have a bicolor blenny, and down the road would like to add lighting and corals.

Thanks!

spamreefnew · 03/11/2010, 06:51 PM

sounds cool,,just make SURE you have a cover on the tank! they sure do like to jump n die!

jenjen · 03/11/2010, 06:57 PM

I'm not sure you'd be able to keep 3-4 in a 40g. The recommended tank size for one is 30g, and they get up to 4 inches. They build elaborate caves. I think I'd be inclined to stick to one in a tank that size... let him be king of the castle.

fatrip · 03/11/2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenjen

I'm not sure you'd be able to keep 3-4 in a 40g. The recommended tank size for one is 30g, and they get up to 4 inches. They build elaborate caves. I think I'd be inclined to stick to one in a tank that size... let him be king of the castle.

+1...you'll be lucky if you get 2 that dont go after each other, but any more they will chase each other untill one jumps out or if it cant get out it'll be stressed to death.

joel_u · 03/12/2010, 12:41 PM

Sadly, there's already been a situation....I got home yesterday and found the jawfish dead, laying on his side.

He had some white filaments coming off of him, but I don't know if that indicates the cause, or just part of what happened after....ugh...........

I checked the water params and they still looked good:
SG = 1.025, T=76G, Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0, Nitrate~=12
...Maybe he just had some pre-existing illness......

So, for now the plan is to keep things stable and let the tank mature I think -- he was really neat though, so I definitely want to try again later. I'll just do one though -- based on your suggestions.

Thanks! Wish me luck...

Crustman · 03/12/2010, 02:00 PM

Sorry it died; they are nice fish to have. Don't bother anyone. Mine even lived after a rock cave in crushed the side of his head. They will dig and cause rocks to fall. The first few days that you have them are critical. You have to get them to eat and not jump out of your tank. Frozen mysis is a good starter food.

joel_u · 03/12/2010, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions -- I'll keep them in mind if I try another jaw down the road.

romsoccer12 · 03/12/2010, 03:53 PM

i would wait another 6 weeks before adding anything, just to make sure diseases arent still in the tank. also, QT YOUR FISH!!
gl

03/11/2010, 06:05 PM	#1
joel_u Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Posts: 28	Jawfish Tank? Hi folks, I'm past the initial starting-up phase with my new tank and have just recently added a yellow-headed jawfish, who is really cool! I know that I'll have to wait a bit before I'm sure that he's going to be successful and thrive, but I'm really enjoying what I'm seeing so far. So, I'm wondering if I should make my tank into a JF community....anyone have something like that? Tank is a "40 Regular" with a 36"x15" footprint. I have a sump and a pretty decent amount of equipment. Could I aim towards having 3-4 JF? I already have a bicolor blenny, and down the road would like to add lighting and corals. Thanks!

03/11/2010, 06:57 PM	#3
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	I'm not sure you'd be able to keep 3-4 in a 40g. The recommended tank size for one is 30g, and they get up to 4 inches. They build elaborate caves. I think I'd be inclined to stick to one in a tank that size... let him be king of the castle. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

03/12/2010, 02:00 PM	#6
Crustman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 941	Sorry it died; they are nice fish to have. Don't bother anyone. Mine even lived after a rock cave in crushed the side of his head. They will dig and cause rocks to fall. The first few days that you have them are critical. You have to get them to eat and not jump out of your tank. Frozen mysis is a good starter food. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef with 8 T-5's, ATI Blue Plus, Blue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, Vertex IN 100, phosphate and carbon reactor Coralife Turbo Sea Pump

03/12/2010, 03:53 PM	#8
romsoccer12 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ohio Posts: 2,625	i would wait another 6 weeks before adding anything, just to make sure diseases arent still in the tank. also, QT YOUR FISH!! gl __________________ Colin R Current Tank Info: 3rd tank working fine!(29gal oceanic biocube) 5-6months old

03/11/2010, 06:51 PM	#2
spamreefnew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: rhodeisland Posts: 1,491	sounds cool,,just make SURE you have a cover on the tank! they sure do like to jump n die!

03/12/2010, 12:41 PM	#5
joel_u Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Posts: 28	Sadly, there's already been a situation....I got home yesterday and found the jawfish dead, laying on his side. He had some white filaments coming off of him, but I don't know if that indicates the cause, or just part of what happened after....ugh........... I checked the water params and they still looked good: SG = 1.025, T=76G, Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0, Nitrate~=12 ...Maybe he just had some pre-existing illness...... So, for now the plan is to keep things stable and let the tank mature I think -- he was really neat though, so I definitely want to try again later. I'll just do one though -- based on your suggestions. Thanks! Wish me luck...

03/12/2010, 02:30 PM	#7
joel_u Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Posts: 28	Thanks for the suggestions -- I'll keep them in mind if I try another jaw down the road.