More info
Common Name: Yellowhead Jawfish
Scientific Name: Opistognathus aurifrons (Böhlke, 1957)
Order: Perciformes — Family: Opistognathidae
Distribution: Western Atlantic — Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea, Barbados and Venezuela. Found in sandy areas near coral reefs.
Lifespan: 5 to 7 years
Maximum Adult Size: 8–10 cm
pH: 8.0 – 8.4 — Hardness: 8 – 12 dKH
Temperature: 24°C – 28°C
Minimum Tank Size: 150 litres with deep fine sand bed (10–15 cm)
Reef Safe (Compatibility): Completely reef safe.
Behaviour & Compatibility:
A very peaceful and shy species. Spends most of its time inside the burrow it builds in the sand. Best kept with calm tankmates; avoid aggressive or highly active species. Provide shells and small stones to help reinforce their burrow. Known jumper — a tightly covered tank is essential.
Diet:
Carnivore. Feeds on small crustaceans and zooplankton. In captivity accepts mysis, enriched brine shrimp, chopped krill and other small frozen foods. Should be fed slowly and near the substrate to ensure proper feeding.
Reproduction:
Oviparous and paternal mouthbrooder. Males collect and incubate eggs in their mouth until hatching. Captive breeding is possible but rarely documented.
Sexual Dimorphism:
Difficult to distinguish. Males may be slightly larger and show a broader head during breeding periods.
Habitat & Biotope:
Sandy bottoms in reef-associated zones with fine sand and shell fragments for burrow construction.
Etymology:
Opistognathus comes from Greek “opisto” (behind) and “gnathos” (jaw). Aurifrons means “golden forehead”.