yellowhead jawfish
| Scientific name | Opistognathus aurifrons |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Jordan & Thompson |
| Year of description | 1905 |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
| Family | Opistognathidae |
| Genus | Opistognathus |
Introduction
Opistognathus aurifrons, commonly known as yellowhead jawfish, is a salt water fish.
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Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size8 cm
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Maximum size10 cm
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Longevity8 year
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Average size8 cm
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Maximum size10 cm
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Longevity8 year
How to recognize the yellowhead jawfish ?
The yellowhead jawfish measures between 8 and 10 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly jaune, bleu and beige body.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietcarnivorous and planctophage
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Sociabilityliving as a couple or alone
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
The yellowhead jawfish is a fish living as a couple or alone naturally found on the bottom. This species is carnivorous and planctophage . Naturally, it tends to dig into the sand and transform its environment.
Although the yellowhead jawfish is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare incubateur buccal
The yellowhead jawfish is a fish ovipare incubateur buccal. This fish protects its eggs from nearby predators.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature22 - 26 °C
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Depth3 - 40 m
Biotope presentation
The yellowhead jawfish is most often found at a depth between 3m and 40m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume80 liters
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Population minnot specified
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Temperature22 - 26 °C
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pH (acidity)8.2 - 8.4
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingmoderate
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Behaviourslightly aggressive
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the yellowhead jawfish
The yellowhead jawfish is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.
The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.
Builder fish
This fish has the particularity to dig its territory in the sand. Therefore, it is likely to uproot plants and modify the decor of the aquarium.
Cohabitation & Environment
In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 80 liters.
Tips for feeding
The yellowhead jawfish is carnivorous and planctophage.
You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.
Reproduction protocol
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Spawning cleaningMale
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egg-laying protectionMale
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Fry protectionNo
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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To go further
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Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Adrien Falzon
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
Burrowing Behavior of the Yellowhead Jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons - Patrick L. Colin - JSTOR - 1973.
Interspecific Relationships of the Yellowhead Jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons (Pisces, Opistognathidae) - Patrick L. Colin - JSTOR - 1971.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE YELLOWHEAD JAWFISH, OPISTOGNATHUS AURIFRONS (PERCIFORMES: OPISTOGNATHIDAE). - WALDNER, RAYMOND ERNEST - Florida Atlantic University - 1975.
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