Jawfish
Jawfish are burrowers and require a sandy substrate of sufficient depth. Interesting behaviors can be observed when placed in a shoal setting, provided a large enough habitat is provided. In the aquarium they feed on small planktonic matter, commonly taking brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and prepared frozen and pelleted foods.
Opistognathus lonchurus, the head and body of the Black Cap Jawfish, also known as the Moustache Jawfish, are green and orange. It has an orange stripe above the mouth, resembling a mustache.
The Black Cap Jawfish should reside in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent it from jumping out, and at least 3 inches of mixed substrate for burrowing. It poses a possible threat to small shrimp. The Black Cap Jawfish grows up to 4 inches.These fish generally will come to you between 2½ to 4½ inches. The Black Cap Jawfish is hardy and will spawn successfully in an aquarium.
The Blue Dot Jawfish, also known as the Bluespotted Jawfish, was first discovered in the Tropical Eastern Atlantic in 1991 by Allen and Robertson. Its head and body are orange with irregular-shaped blue spots.
It should be kept in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with docile tank mates and at least 3 inches of mixed substrate for burrowing. These fish are very aggressive towards others of their own species, so only one specimen, or a mated pair, should be kept per tank. The Blue Dot Jawfish is known to be a jumper, so it is best kept in an aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape. The diet should consist of a variety of marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysid shrimp. It should be fed at least three times per day.
The Yellow-headed jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) is found in coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. The head and upper body are a light, but brilliant, yellow color slowly fading to a pearlescent blue hue. The mouth and jaws are, as suggested by the common name, a signature of the jawfishes.
It remains near its relatively small territory, and is typically seen with only the head and upper section of its body protouding from its burrow, although it sometimes can be found hovering nearby. It is able to arrange material using its mouth to carry sand, shells, or small rocks from one location to another, or removing them from its burrow, and placing them in more preferred locations. It is a mouthbrooder, with males carrying the eggs in the mouth until they hatch.