Blue spot jawfish

F430Lou · Jun 18, 2014

Just added a blue spot jawfish to my tank. Boy is he cool! Now I know they are not the hardiest of fish but my LFS had a pretty good deal on him that I couldn't pass up. $60.00 not too shabby. So I wanted to see if anyone has ever been able to keep one long term? From my research it seems like the lifespan once in captivity is anywhere form 3 to 6 months. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

LeighannW · Jun 18, 2014

I would also like more info about them. They are beautiful

jasonp87 · Jun 18, 2014

If you don't have a lid you're going to need one. They are notorious jumpers. Probably one of the biggest reasons the lifespan is so short.

F430Lou · Jun 18, 2014

Absolutely do have a canopy. From what I've been seeing it looks like they're just prone to some type of disease. Really was curious as to how long someone has been able to keep this fish.

Marshall O · Jun 18, 2014

18 months for me. Just lost it about a month ago. Was mostly blind for the last 6 months of its life. Target fed it daily though. Tank temp was kept around 76Â°F. Didn't die of "Blue Spotted Jawfish" disease though. Looked fine one day, gone the next. Make sure you get some spirulina in its diet.

427HISS · Jun 18, 2014

Unlike my wife, I believe these are on of the most strikingly beautiful fish
God has created. And being a sand/rock movers, their amazing to watch working. I also want one, but concerned about their physical and mental health,.....in a captive aquarium ?
Just because we can now find them available, doesn't mean we should, but
I know if I could get a deal on one, I'd try this beautiful species !

I hope your thread keeps going with detailed information and advice, on how to keep these guys !

Is there anyone here that has kept one for several years that can advise us ?

(Marshall 0- beautiful Fairy Wrasse) !

D maul · Jun 18, 2014

Great fish with big needs cooler water is a must 75 to 76 degrees at highest.Put in some rock rubble of different sizes so he has more to build his burrows.Also the first picture the jawfish looks like he's lost some color try putting some selcon in his food hope he does well in his new home.

Bad Company · Jun 19, 2014

I've had one for about 5 months now. I have a 30WX30LX16H (63 gallon) with a 20 gallon sump. He shares the tank with a flame angel, coral beauty, two occelaris clowns, a yellowtail damsel and a royal gramma.

In the winter, my tank stayed about 76 degrees, but now it fluctuates up to 82 degrees. "Steve" the BSJ does scrape himself occasionally, which clears up after a week or two on its own. He got a bit of fuzzy mouth, whatever that was, which also cleared up. My BSJ is definitely high-strung, but being the biggest fish in the tank really helps. He eats everything. Pellets, wafers, spirulina flkes, misis, it goes in the water, he eats it.

Advice:
- I have fine aragonite and crushed coral mixed, mine seems to really like that for building
- Ensure that there are rocks to tunnel under that are supported by other, smaller rocks
- feed a variety of foods
- Do not mess with their dens/homes
- Have a lid; mine goes bonkers once a day at least
- Keep good water, mine seems to heal injuries on his own
- Let him be the biggest fish, he already stresses about what's going on

Good luck! I'd also like to hear more advice!