Yellowhead Jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) Care Guide

Opistognathus aurifrons is a Western Atlantic jawfish with a pale body and yellow head that builds sand burrows and mouthbroods its eggs.

Overview

Opistognathus aurifrons, the yellowhead jawfish, is a small marine fish of the family Opistognathidae. Its body is light bluish-grey with numerous pale blue dots, while the head, nape and front of the dorsal fin are yellow. It is native to the Western Central Atlantic, where it constructs and tends a burrow in the substrate.

Taxonomy

• Family: Opistognathidae
• Genus: Opistognathus
• Scientific name: Opistognathus aurifrons

Habitat

The species ranges from southern Florida and the Bahamas to Barbados and northern South America. It is reef-associated and lives in burrows constructed from crushed coral or sand at depths of about 3 to 40 m. FishBase gives a temperature preference of roughly 22-28 °C.

Tank requirements

• Minimum tank volume: 150 L
• Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• GH: 8-12 °dGH
• Substrate: deep sand and rubble bed required for burrowing
• Adult size: 10-13 cm (FishBase reports up to 10 cm)
• Lifespan: 4-6 years

Diet

Opistognathus aurifrons is a carnivore (FishBase trophic level 3.0) that feeds on small prey from the water column near its burrow. In captivity it accepts meaty marine foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp, offered about twice daily.

Compatibility

This is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling species that forms monogamous pairs. It suits peaceful tankmates such as gobies, cardinalfish and clownfish. Aggressive fish should be avoided, and multiple jawfish are best kept only in larger tanks to provide burrowing space.

Breeding

The species is a paternal mouthbrooder. According to FishBase, the eggs are clumped into a sticky ball and incubated inside the male's mouth, with courtship involving the male swimming in an arched position with fins spread. The species has been successfully reared in captivity, though breeding is considered advanced.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2012).