Jawfish Experts

OneArmedBandit · 02/26/2008, 10:17 AM

I'm hoping to get another tank up and running in the near future and was wondering how big it needs to be to house 2 Jawfish... There will be no other fish in this tank but it will also have a few snails, hermits and possibly a couple of shrimp.

Thanks. -Steve

rssjsb · 02/26/2008, 10:33 AM

Why not get a pair? They're occasionally available on line. Otherwise, I think it depends on the species. I think I remember reading that pearly or yellowhead jawfish need enough room to establish territories something like 18" apart.

OneArmedBandit · 02/26/2008, 01:52 PM

A pair would be ideal but I've never seen them available. Guess I'll keep a sharp eye out when I'm ready for their addition. Thanks. -Steve

kar93 · 02/26/2008, 02:11 PM

I would recommend getting something to cover the tank aswell, ive lost 3 to carpet surfing.

The Jawfish · 02/26/2008, 02:44 PM

as said a pair would be best, but if you can't find one(which you probably wont) then a tank over 3'x12'' will suffice, you could try it in a 20L but i wouldn't unless you buy a pair or at least a male and female.

the males will usually have larger heads, thicker lips, and bigger buccal cavities. (the little pouch under the chin where the eggs are incubated.) reallt eh only you cna do that effectively is to find one 'super'male or to see them all in a group.

OneArmedBandit · 02/26/2008, 03:29 PM

The tank will definately be covered since I've read that they are jumpers. Thanks for all the info guys. -Steve

spud14 · 02/26/2008, 03:38 PM

They are a pain to keep...I had one that ate like a pig and in a very calm tank..Only a Potters Angel and a yellow tang in there..

Was fine for 2 weeks, then one day I found it gasping on the surface for air and the next morning, dead on the rocks...

My LFS won't even keep them in stock..Cool fish but I believe a no win situation on our tanks unless you are and magician.

Here is him when he was alive.

Leandrae · 02/26/2008, 10:52 PM

You may already know this, but it doesn't hurt to forewarn anyway.

Because they are diggers, you need to be sure your rock is very solidly placed as they can cause 'rock slides' that can scratch the tank, squash the fish, or possibly even break the glass. Also be ready to move any corals as needed to avoid being covered in sand as they dig.

I had a blue spotted jawfish. Beautiful fish and a great personality! But wow, he was a royal in in the backside! He did set off a good sized slide in my tank, didn't break or kill anything at least. He also killed several corals that were on the sand by burying them (I didn't pay enough attention) I loved the way he would steal small pieces of rock, coral, or shells to decorate his caves...loved it when he would grab the snails or hermits while they were still in em and try to keep in from getting away.

I had glass tops on my tank and he still managed to jump out and become fish jerky! Either I left the tops open for a few extra minutes after a feeding, or he managed to wiggle out of the tiny crack I would leave open (maybe a quarter inch).

USC-fan · 02/26/2008, 11:02 PM

You will need a really Deep sand bed. 4"+....i would go with 6". You should mix in different types of sand size and also include A LOT of small shells.

If you plan to have live rock you have to put it in before the sand.

I have a 18" canopy that is fully enclosed with window screen and eggcate to keep the fish in.

Here a pic of my blue spotted jawfish. Had him for about 6 months now.

The Jawfish · 03/12/2008, 01:00 PM

yeah my BSJ dies after the first week due to a rock slide. i was so sure that rock was stable....

i miss that sweet-*** fish of mine :`(

02/26/2008, 10:17 AM	#1
OneArmedBandit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Utica, MI Posts: 142	Jawfish Experts I'm hoping to get another tank up and running in the near future and was wondering how big it needs to be to house 2 Jawfish... There will be no other fish in this tank but it will also have a few snails, hermits and possibly a couple of shrimp. Thanks. -Steve __________________ Current tank: ~150 gal. Display (FOWLR), 75 gal. Sump (50 gal. actual water volume), 400 lbs. LR

02/26/2008, 10:33 AM	#2
rssjsb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,243	Why not get a pair? They're occasionally available on line. Otherwise, I think it depends on the species. I think I remember reading that pearly or yellowhead jawfish need enough room to establish territories something like 18" apart. __________________ Robin

02/26/2008, 01:52 PM	#3
OneArmedBandit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Utica, MI Posts: 142	A pair would be ideal but I've never seen them available. Guess I'll keep a sharp eye out when I'm ready for their addition. Thanks. -Steve __________________ Current tank: ~150 gal. Display (FOWLR), 75 gal. Sump (50 gal. actual water volume), 400 lbs. LR

02/26/2008, 03:29 PM	#6
OneArmedBandit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Utica, MI Posts: 142	The tank will definately be covered since I've read that they are jumpers. Thanks for all the info guys. -Steve __________________ Current tank: ~150 gal. Display (FOWLR), 75 gal. Sump (50 gal. actual water volume), 400 lbs. LR

02/26/2008, 02:11 PM	#4
kar93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lincoln Posts: 5,521	I would recommend getting something to cover the tank aswell, ive lost 3 to carpet surfing.

02/26/2008, 02:44 PM	#5
The Jawfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 22	as said a pair would be best, but if you can't find one(which you probably wont) then a tank over 3'x12'' will suffice, you could try it in a 20L but i wouldn't unless you buy a pair or at least a male and female. the males will usually have larger heads, thicker lips, and bigger buccal cavities. (the little pouch under the chin where the eggs are incubated.) reallt eh only you cna do that effectively is to find one 'super'male or to see them all in a group.

02/26/2008, 03:38 PM	#7
spud14 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	They are a pain to keep...I had one that ate like a pig and in a very calm tank..Only a Potters Angel and a yellow tang in there.. Was fine for 2 weeks, then one day I found it gasping on the surface for air and the next morning, dead on the rocks... My LFS won't even keep them in stock..Cool fish but I believe a no win situation on our tanks unless you are and magician. Here is him when he was alive.

02/26/2008, 10:52 PM	#8
Leandrae Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thornton, CO Posts: 286	You may already know this, but it doesn't hurt to forewarn anyway. Because they are diggers, you need to be sure your rock is very solidly placed as they can cause 'rock slides' that can scratch the tank, squash the fish, or possibly even break the glass. Also be ready to move any corals as needed to avoid being covered in sand as they dig. I had a blue spotted jawfish. Beautiful fish and a great personality! But wow, he was a royal in in the backside! He did set off a good sized slide in my tank, didn't break or kill anything at least. He also killed several corals that were on the sand by burying them (I didn't pay enough attention) I loved the way he would steal small pieces of rock, coral, or shells to decorate his caves...loved it when he would grab the snails or hermits while they were still in em and try to keep in from getting away. I had glass tops on my tank and he still managed to jump out and become fish jerky! Either I left the tops open for a few extra minutes after a feeding, or he managed to wiggle out of the tiny crack I would leave open (maybe a quarter inch).

02/26/2008, 11:02 PM	#9
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	You will need a really Deep sand bed. 4"+....i would go with 6". You should mix in different types of sand size and also include A LOT of small shells. If you plan to have live rock you have to put it in before the sand. I have a 18" canopy that is fully enclosed with window screen and eggcate to keep the fish in. Here a pic of my blue spotted jawfish. Had him for about 6 months now.

03/12/2008, 01:00 PM	#10
The Jawfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 22	yeah my BSJ dies after the first week due to a rock slide. i was so sure that rock was stable.... i miss that sweet-*** fish of mine :`(