Table of Contents
- 1 What is unique about the jawfish?
- 2 How many types of jawfish are there?
- 3 How big is a jawfish?
- 4 How do jawfish eat with eggs in their mouth?
- 5 Are jawfish aggressive?
- 6 Are gobies jawfish?
- 7 How does the jawfish find a home?
- 8 How much is a blue spot Jawfish?
- 9 What are the colors of a jawfish fish?
- 10 What kind of habitat does a jawfish live in?
What is unique about the jawfish?
Jawfish possess a single, long dorsal fin with 9-12 spines and a caudal fin that can be either rounded or pointed. Jawfish typically reside in burrows they construct in sandy substrate. They will stuff their mouths with sand and spit it out elsewhere, slowly creating a tunnel.
How many types of jawfish are there?
The Family Opistognathidae, otherwise commonly known as jawfish, is comprised of three genera and nearly 40 described species with possibly another 30 un-described.
Where are jawfish?
Meet the yellow-headed jawfish Yellow-headed jawfish live in patches of sand and coral rubble around the edges of reefs. With no place to hide in these open areas, jawfish dig in, building burrows into the sand. When danger threatens, they dive for cover into their burrow.
How big is a jawfish?
Physically similar to blennies, most jawfish species are small fish (up to 10 cm or 3.9 in) with an elongated body plan. A few species, for example the aptly named giant jawfish (O. rhomaleus), reaches about 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in). Their heads, mouths, and eyes are large in size relative to the rest of their bodies.
How do jawfish eat with eggs in their mouth?
A male jawfish attracts females to his burrow to lay her eggs so that he can brood them. The male will then quickly fertilize the eggs, which he then scoops up and holds in his mouth. But every guy deserves a break to eat! When they do, they “spit” the eggs into the burrow, leaving them temporarily unattended.
Why do you think the jaw fish lives in a burrow?
These diminutive fish feed on very small marine creatures and plankton. They sit tucked into their burrows, with only their heads poking out, waiting for food to float by. This way, the fish are completely protected, and if they feel threatened, they can quickly dart back into the safety of their burrow.
Are jawfish aggressive?
NARRATOR: Jawfish defend their territories aggressively. They live in burrows that they dig and fortify with stones. In response, the newcomer fights back, and soon the interaction between neighboring jawfish escalates to war.
Are gobies jawfish?
Gobies belong to the Gobiidae family, and make up the largest family of marine fishes. The families Microdesmidae (Firefishes), Callionymidae (Mandarins), Opistognathidae (Jawfish), and Malacanthidae (Tilefish) are often included in the group of fish called gobies. Gobies can be recognized by their long, tubular shape.
Is there a fish that lays eggs out of its mouth?
Mouthbreeder, any fish that breeds its young in the mouth. Examples include certain catfishes, cichlids, and cardinal fishes. The male of the sea catfish Galeichthys felis places up to 50 fertilized eggs in its mouth and retains them until they are hatched and the young are two or more weeks old.
How does the jawfish find a home?
The jawfish builds its habitat by tunneling into the soft sand, carving out a space just big enough for it to hide its entire body in. They are territorial of the area surrounding their burrows, but it is not unusual to see jawfish burrows only a foot away from each other.
How much is a blue spot Jawfish?
| Item # | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 026220 | Blue Spot Jawfish, 2″-4″, Central America, Pair | $599.99 |
| 034319 | Blue Spot Jawfish, 2″-4″, Central America | $249.99 |
Is the jawfish a good fish to have in an aquarium?
The jawfish is an extremely peaceful species of fish and makes an excellent addition to most community saltwater aquariums. However, care should be taken not to house jawfish in aquariums with larger, more aggressive tank mates that can harass or prey on them. Jawfish do best when housed in aquariums with a thick layer of sand substrate.
What are the colors of a jawfish fish?
Most species of jawfish have very interesting body colors and patterns. They come in shades of pastel, yellow, blue, green, brown, black and white. The jawfish is an extremely peaceful species of fish and makes an excellent addition to most community saltwater aquariums.
What kind of habitat does a jawfish live in?
Jawfishes typically reside in burrows they construct in sandy substrate. They will stuff their mouths with sand and spit it out elsewhere, slowly creating a tunnel. Using the protection of these burrows, these fish will hover, feeding on plankton or other small organisms, ready to dart back in at the first sign of danger.
How many species of jawfish are there in the world?
Opistognathidae, the jawfishes, are a family of fishes which have been classified within the order Perciformes, suborder Percoidei but many authorities now classify this family within the clade Ovalentaria and consider that its affinities within that clade are uncertain, i.e. it is incertae sedis. The family includes about 80 species.