Family Opistognathidae Scientific name Opistognathus aurifrons Higher classification Opistognathus Order Perciformes | Genus Opistognathus Phylum Chordata Rank Species Kingdom Animalia | |
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Similar Opistognathidae, Opistognathus, Blue‑spotted jawfish, Royal gramma, French angelfish | ||
Yellowhead jawfish with eggs
The yellowhead jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) is a species of jawfish native to coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. It is found at depths of from 3 to 40 metres (9.8 to 131.2 ft). The head and upper body are a light, but brilliant, yellow color slowly fading to a pearlescent blue hue. It can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL.
Contents
- Yellowhead jawfish with eggs
- Yellowhead jawfish releasing hatching larvae by anna deloach
- In captivity
- References
It remains near its relatively small territory, and is typically seen with only the head and upper section of its body protruding from its burrow, although it sometimes can be found hovering nearby. It is able to arrange material using its mouth, carrying sand, shells, or small rocks from one location to another.
It is a mouthbrooder, with the male carrying the eggs in its mouth until they hatch.
Yellowhead jawfish releasing hatching larvae by anna deloach
In captivity
In the aquarium it feeds on planktonic matter, commonly taking brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and prepared frozen and pelleted fish food. When other fish come near its territory, it will open its jaw wide and try to warn them off, but it rarely attacks.
