Blue-spotted jawfish

Blue-spotted jawfish
A blue-spotted jawfish at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Perciformes
Family:Opistognathidae
Genus:Opistognathus
Species: O. rosenblatti
Binomial name
Opistognathus rosenblatti
G. R. Allen & D. R. Robertson, 1991

The blue-spotted jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti) is a species of jawfish native to the Gulf of California. It is an inhabitant of reefs where it is found in large colonies at depths of around 12 metres (39 ft). This species hides in its burrow at night, completely sealing the entrance. Every morning it rebuilds the burrow entrance. It can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.[2]

The blue-spotted jawfish also called Opistognathus Rosenblatti were first discovered in the Tropical Eastern Pacific by Allen and Robertson in 1991.[3] Found in large colonies of California, they are colorful and beautiful member of the jawfish's family. They belong to the class of Actinopterygii.

Description

The blue-spotted jawfish have an electric blue spotting over a yellow or orange body with an elegant yellow dorsal fin. They have large eyes that make them look as "alien".[4] The males have stark white in their anterior halves., the females and the non-courting males are dark brown and have larger blue spots, the younger jawfish are uniformly colored yellow with blue spots.

Biology

Jawfish are named for their large mouths, which allow them to catch food. Their large mouths also allow them to dig their burrows by taking big mouthfuls of sand and spitting them out in order to create their hideaways.[5] Some jawfish consume worms, crustaceans, and invertebrates, but the blue-spotted jawfish feeds on tiny animals: benthic and planktonic invertebrates.

Habitat

The blue-spotted jawfish are very social amongst other members of its own species, they are not aggressive except to those who try to enter their burrows. They are found in cold water at deeper depth of the ocean in sandy rubbles and reef areas. They live in colonies of up to several hundred fish with a minimal spacing of 1m to 3 m between individuals. They cover their burrow entrance at dusk and rebuilt the opening every morning. Unlike the Opistognathus aurifrons, the Blue-spotted jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti) only spend time out and above their burrows during warm summer season.[6]

Health

The blue-spotted jawfish have small scales but they do not carry parasitic infestations and infectious disease as the other fish family with small scales.[7] They are two disease that can affect the blue-spotted jawfish. First of all, the brooklynella and blue spotted jawfish disease.[8] When the blue spotted jawfish are affected by the brooklynella, it is likely that they will deteriorate and die within approximately 24 hours. The symptoms of brooklynella include: peeling skin and color loss all over the body, no appetite. They may leave their burrow and list around until they eventually die.

Reproduction

Jawfish are mouth brooders, they utilize their mouth to hold the eggs until they reach the hatching point. They incubate the eggs in their mouths for about 5 to 7 days. In addition, males display behaviorally and color wise in the summer months by becoming bright white, dashing 3 to 4 feet above their burrow trying to attract the females. If the male is successful attracting the female, the female join his tube for a few minutes after returning in hers.[9]

In the aquarium

The blue-spotted Jawfish must be kept in 30 gallons or larger aquarium with tank mates.[10] They must be kept with one specimen, or a mate pair per tank. As they are known to be jumpers, meaning they jump frequently and might escape easily. It is important to keep them in an aquarium with a lid or to take other measures to prevent the animal from harming itself. It is recommended that only advanced aquarists attempt to keep this particular fish due to its sensitivity to water parameters. Additionally, this fish does not handle shipping well, and many specimens die during and soon after the shipping process.

References

  1. ↑ McCosker, J.E., Acero, A. & Espinosa, H. 2010. Opistognathus rosenblatti. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org Archived June 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.>. Downloaded on 16 March 2014.
  2. ↑ " http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/a-cool-fish-in-more-than-one-sense-the-bluespotted-jawfish-opistognathus-rosenblatti-full-article.htm "
  3. ↑ http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/a-cool-fish-in-more-than-one-sense-the-bluespotted-jawfish-opistognathus-rosenblatti-full-article.htm
  4. ↑ " https://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-blue-spotted-jawfish
  5. ↑ https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/resources.asp?show=385
  6. ↑ " http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/a-cool-fish-in-more-than-one-sense-the-bluespotted-jawfish-opistognathus-rosenblatti-full-article.htm "
  7. ↑ " http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/a-cool-fish-in-more-than-one-sense-the-bluespotted-jawfish-opistognathus-rosenblatti-full-article.htm "
  8. ↑ " http://aquanerd.com/2009/09/better-left-in-ocean-blue-spot-jawfish.html
  9. ↑ " http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/a-cool-fish-in-more-than-one-sense-the-bluespotted-jawfish-opistognathus-rosenblatti-full-article.htm
  10. ↑ " http://aquanerd.com/2009/09/better-left-in-ocean-blue-spot-jawfish.html


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