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Pearly jawfish
Opistognathus aurifrons
Fact File: Pearly or Yellowhead jawfish
Scientific name: Opistognathus aurifrons (Jordan and Thompson, 1905)
Synonyms: Gnathypops aurifrons and Opisthognathus aurifrons (a misspelling).
Origin: Museum records show that this species has been recorded from the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Panama and the southern USA. It is endemic to the Western Central Atlantic.
Size: Typically around 10cm/4".
Diet: A zooplanktivore, so offer Mysis and Brineshrimp.
Aquarium: A minimum aquarium size of 90cm/36" is recommended for this species. The tank should contain copious amounts of rock and should ideally have a deep sandy substrate, as this species likes to dig. It is vital that rocks are resting on the bottom of the tank, otherwise this fish could potentially cause a rockfall in the aquarium. The species is normally peaceful and mixes well in a community of similar-sized fishes. The fish can jump if startled, so ensure that the aquarium has a good cover.
Stocking: Normally kept individually, however, several could be kept together if there is sufficient room.
Breeding: This species is a paternal mouthbrooder - the male rears a clutch of eggs and fry in his mouth and releases them when free swimming. The Pearly jawfish has been bred in the aquarium.
Notes: O. aurifrons is one of around 43 species in the Opistognathus genus. The jawfishes are members of a family called the Opistognathidae. Virtually all of them live are believed to live inside holes among rocks and sand and hover vertically outside the hole, bolting back inside when danger threatens.
