blue spotted jawfish

[tonybwill]

Picked this guy up 2 days ago. His tail is bit off. Dug his home and doing well so far.How long do you think it would take to grow back?

 

[ritter6788]

I don't mean to be so blunt but it may not ever. This is a fish that has specific needs. Cooler water temps, tight fitting lids and loads of space free of other fish that would harass this species. The survival rate of this fish in a typical reef tank is usually slim to none.

 

[tonybwill]

My local fish store had him for 2 months. His tail is making progress. He is in a 45g tank. I'm happy with em!

 

[tonybwill]

Jawfish, Blue Dot (Opistognathus rosenblatti)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025, KH 8-12
Max. Size: 3½"
Color Form: Blue, Orange
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Mexico
Family: Opistognathidae

 

[ritter6788]

I've seen the LA/Petco "requirements". The actual success stories in a reef tank don't follow though.

 

[tonybwill]

Oh no.. Crossing my fingers, lol.

 

[reefluvrr]

Don't give up hope.
I have mine for close to one year now. I use TDO Chroma Boost to feed mine. Still looking happy.

I made a recording of my tank in May of my fishes eating.

 

[tonybwill]

Don't give up hope.
I have mine for close to one year now. I use TDO Chroma Boost to feed mine. Still looking happy.

I made a recording of my tank in May of my fishes eating.

Wow. Beautiful tank. He is eating reef frenzy and frozen brine shrimp. Thx for the video. Hope is alive! Smh

 

[eatbreakfast]

Only ppat of it's tail will grow back. Once the deterioration gets to the caudal peduncle, those rays don't grow back.

These fish do need cooler temps, mid 60's-low 70's. Not keeping them in that tank greatly shortens their life.

 

[Mopartech]

Good luck with him. I had 3 (not at the same time) and they all just disappeared over night.

 

[Florida Sunshine]

One of my very favorite fish but I finally gave up trying to keep them. You absolutely positively must keep your tank completely covered if you are going to keep this fish.
I cannot stress that enough! They will jump out of a screen top or even the very smallest opening. If you think it is covered well enough think again. If air can get in I swear these fish can get out.
I have had more than my share of this wonderful fish and even had a pair at one point for a couple of years but eventually they both jumped out on the same night.

 

[alton]

One of mine also. I have had two in my office tank. The first in picture number one hung out everywhere in the tank including the GSP, but every once in a while he would go crazy and hit the glass tops. I lost him because I believe I had a hard time controlling my temps below 80. I have since switched to leds and temp stays below 77. BSJF #2 never comes out, he will come out an inch to feed and right back in, never goes ballistic just turns his head when someone comes in my office. The only other fish in this tank are a pair of Golden Angelfish, which never compete for food.