Pearly jawfish
Opistognathus aurifrons
FishSaltwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Recommended tank
- 150 L
- Maximum size
- 10 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Planktivore
Care at a glance
The pearly jawfish has a yellow head and a pearly white body, and digs a vertical burrow in the substrate with its mouth, reinforcing it with pebbles and shell grit. By day it rises from that burrow to snap plankton from the current, shooting backwards into it at the first sign of danger.
So give it a deep substrate of sand mixed with shell grit and small pebbles; without building material it never settles. The male broods the eggs in his mouth, and be sure to cover the tank, because jawfish are notorious jumpers.
Good to know
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.