TankBud

Pearly jawfish

Opistognathus aurifrons

Also known as Yellowhead Jawfish, Yellowheaded Jawfish, Gold Head Jawfish

SaltwaterFish

Pearly jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons)
Pauline Walsh Jacobson · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Opistognathidae
Origin
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, from southern Florida and the Bahamas through the Caribbean to the northern coast of South America

Overview

The pearly jawfish is a peaceful burrow dweller that spends its life around a single tunnel. It is a step up from the easiest reef fish.

Did you know

The pearly jawfish's oversized jaws are for digging, not fighting. It uses them to excavate and move substrate as it builds its burrow.

Caring for the pearly jawfish

Give pearly jawfish at least 29 gal (110 L) with a deep sand bed, at least 10 to 15 cm. Mix in rubble and small rock rubble so they can build and reinforce a stable tunnel. A tight lid is essential because they jump, especially in the first weeks. Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

Pearly jawfish are peaceful and fully reef safe, and they leave corals and inverts alone. They only bother a reef by now and then spitting sand onto nearby corals while they maintain the burrow. They are shy, so pick calm tank mates that will not outcompete them for food or intimidate them. Several can share a large tank with enough sand-bed footprint and spacing, since they live as a colonial, social species.

Pearly jawfish are mouthbrooders. The male incubates the egg mass in his mouth until the larvae hatch, rolling and aerating it now and then. He goes without eating the whole time. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Opistognathus aurifrons is a jawfish in the family Opistognathidae. Its pale pearly-blue body and soft yellow head give it its common names, including yellowhead jawfish, yellowheaded jawfish and gold head jawfish.

In the wild

Pearly jawfish live over open sand and rubble flats near reefs in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. Their range runs from southern Florida and the Bahamas through the Caribbean to the northern coast of South America. Each fish digs and defends a vertical burrow lined with pebbles, shell and coral rubble. They hover just above the burrow mouth to snatch drifting plankton and dive in tail first at any threat.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The pearly jawfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a pearly jawfish need?

A pearly jawfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a pearly jawfish need?

A pearly jawfish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

How big does a pearly jawfish get?

An adult pearly jawfish reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

How does a pearly jawfish breed?

Pearly jawfish are mouthbrooders. The male holds the egg mass in his mouth until the larvae hatch, and he goes without eating the whole time. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species