Yellowhead jaw staying in den?

joec · Oct 1, 2018

I did a water change Saturday and and moved a little aquascaping and he went in his den and I have not seen him since, its been two days. Should I be concerned?

He was totally eating heathy, prophylactically treated with copper, Praz, and fed Metroplex/focus before going into the DT, and he is alone in the tank.

Do they hide like this for a few days sometimes?

BedrockIOMC · Oct 1, 2018

they are very shy and will hide for a ling while. Are you sure he doesnt have a opening any where else? are you sure that a you didnt collapse his tunnel when you eas moving rock? did you move any that was on the sand or over his tunnel?

joec · Oct 1, 2018

BedrockIOMC said:
they are very shy and will hide for a ling while. Are you sure he doesnt have a opening any where else? are you sure that a you didnt collapse his tunnel when you eas moving rock? did you move any that was on the sand or over his tunnel?

I did not collapse his den. When I didn't see him all day yesterday, I carefully removed his "door" a small shell covering his den entrance and a bit later, he sealed the entrance back up again, so he's definately alive. I probably spooked him worse by messing with his "door"

BedrockIOMC · Oct 1, 2018

Yeah I bet you did. They are very very shy. He will come when he knows it safe and when he wants. That's what i love about them guys. I think their the coolest fish. Just keep it calm in the tank.

joec · Oct 1, 2018

BedrockIOMC said:
Yeah I bet you did. They are very very shy. He will come when he knows it safe and when he wants. That's what i love about them guys. I think their the coolest fish. Just keep it calm in the tank.

Thanks, it's really amazing how smart and perceptive to slight changes they are.

BedrockIOMC · Oct 1, 2018

Is he kind of new to the tank?

joec · Oct 1, 2018

He was added to DT after QT on 8/12

joec · Oct 3, 2018

My jawfish has still not emerged from his den, so he has not eaten. I'm getting concerned. I was thinking of removing the shell covering his hole and using a turkey baster to gently put some food down his hole.

Is this a bad idea? Should I just let it be?