Bluespot jawfish - too difficult?

joec · Apr 3, 2018

I have a new 53 G DT and QT all set up for a Jawfish, proper substrate and depth in DT (small tupperware with Silica sand for copperpower treatment in QT), first fish to be added to DT, etc I was planning to add a Yellowhead but I just can't get the idea to get a blue spot out of my head.

Are the BSJ as difficult to keep alive as I'm reading? Is there greater success with more knowledge now than previous years? Is buying one from DDen a good idea over LFS? What about water temp?

Is a BSJ generally a bad idea with unlikely success? I don't want to get one if Im most likely going to kill it

Thanks!

noahreefer · Apr 3, 2018

I’ve never heard that bsj are incredibly hard to keep. Only thing is that obviously they are really good jumpers

Fishinwall · Apr 3, 2018

This would be your first fish to add to your tank? If so, I think that would be a bad idea. Take it slow with some cheap fish like Chromis or something

Yati · Apr 3, 2018

Here’s my boy his name isn’t Grover... they like cooler temps.. lots of empty shells to place around the burrow and def a screen to prevent from jumping if it gets spooked

joec · Apr 3, 2018

Yes, it would be the first in DT but I already have some established inverts in the DT . QT has been cycled for for 2 months so bio filter should be pretty good. I'm not so worried about the money.

How cool should I keep the tank considering I have/will have other fish/shrimp/snails in there as well?

DT is 10% covered with 1/8" screen. I have proper mixed chunky subtrate.

Yati · Apr 3, 2018

I keep my tank at 77-78 they like it between 72-78 so if you're in that 78 range everything should be fine.. I feed twice a day.. sometimes 3 times a day.. luxury of working from home but they work best if fed a few times with them being "timid" they would go o far from the burrow to catch food so a few feeding should be adequate

joec said:
Yes, it would be the first in DT but I already have some established inverts in the DT . QT has been cycled for for 2 months so bio filter should be pretty good. I'm not so worried about the money.

How cool should I keep the tank considering I have/will have other fish/shrimp/snails in there as well?

DT is 10% covered with 1/8" screen. I have proper mixed chunky subtrate.

luckyazn6 · Apr 3, 2018

I love mine make sure completely covered. They will jump. But a cool fish. Lots of personality. My fish was hand fed sincee we got him from my wife. We recently went on vacation to japan and now he comes out to get food when we feed. No longer have to hand feed him but my wife still does

joec · Apr 3, 2018

I plan to keep in QT for two rounds prazi and 3o days copperpower, observe, and then into DT. I will put a small container of pool sand, pure silica during prophylactic treatment, does that sound OK for this species?

How long have you guys had your BSJ?

Triggreef · Apr 3, 2018

I have a cooler water (NOT cold water) setup, where I have 2 BSJ together. It maintains a steady temp of 68-69 degrees with no chiller. There are actually plenty of fish that will do well in that temp range and also Condy nems apparently.

I only have a basement sump to keep the temp down and I run a DC return pump which also runs cooler. My basement stays relatively cool, and I have central air so it will never be over 74 in my house over the summer if I can help it. So far so good but only made the move to cool water on this tank about 6 months ago maybe. The jawfish are very entertaining.

Some other fish to consider that prefer cooler water... white spotted pygmy filefish, Komohara blennies. And I also have a lyretail anthias, annularis angel, and a couple fiji blue devil damsels that don't seem to mind the cooler water temps.

eatbreakfast · Apr 4, 2018

The waters they naturally are found range from 64-72. Consistently warmer temps accelerate their life cycle and shorten their lifespan.

joec · Apr 4, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
The waters they naturally are found range from 64-72. Consistently warmer temps accelerate their life cycle and shorten their lifespan.

I've read this over an over again but in December, 2017 Quality Marine described that as "disinformation", their word, not mine. I do understand that they are in business of selling these..

http://www.qualitymarine.com/News/Species-Spotlight/Blue-Spotted-Jawfish-(12/06/17)

eatbreakfast · Apr 4, 2018

The period of time that the Sea of Cortez is in the upper 70's-80 is very limited, so temporarily is fine, but not for an extended period of time

The article describes spawning behavior in the 70's. But there is a big difference between 71-72 and 78-79. Also, as depth increases temp decreases as do temp fluctuations.

joec · Apr 4, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
The period of time that the Sea of Cortez is in the upper 70's-80 is very limited, so temporarily is fine, but not for an extended period of time

The article describes spawning behavior in the 70's. But there is a big difference between 71-72 and 78-79. Also, as depth increases temp decreases as do temp fluctuations.

Great points. My takeaway is that perhaps these may be best in species only tanks or only with fish with like demands as Triggreef suggested in this thread.

davhalt · Apr 4, 2018

Completely anecdotal, but the only two new fish I've lost in the last year were both BSJs. Roughly 4 months apart. But I live in Vegas and run a bit of a warm tank (78-80), so that may be the issue considering the above comments.

chowwil · Apr 4, 2018

Quit easy. Had one for 6 months until it decided to jump out of my tank. My tank was completely cover except for the little area my hang on skimmer is. That’s where it got out.

databox · Apr 4, 2018

I have mixed feelings about mine. Not sure if I'd buy it again

They will completely dig up your sand bed. I get amazed at how much sand he moves.

People aren't kidding when they say they're jumpers. Be prepared for that from day 1. They can... and do... launch themselves...all the time.

But it's a beautiful fish and gets along with everyone. I've just had to make the top of my tank look like a maximum security prison.

Michael Naegeli · Apr 4, 2018

Blue Spots R bad jumpers. Must have a lid of some sort. Mine was on the floor 2nd morning in my 180 gal. He seemed happy as can be. Duh a nice lil hole and was awesome. So so bummed

JasPR · Apr 5, 2018

All fish experience stress in captivity. The typical stress being light, tank mates, pH, temperature and general elemental nature of the water. In addition some fish stress due to design of the alien captive environment. In the case of jaw fish, there is a pretty extensive number of hurdles. The reaction is known as General Adaptive syndrome- a physiological reaction that three distinct stages-- 1) escape. In the case of jaw fish we are talking about actual escape 2) physiological internal changes to maintain metabolic and gas balance. 3) shut down to outlast adverse conditions. we have all actually seen this when I fish hides and then surrenders to its fate ( the inability to acclimate). jawfish are hardy once you provide shelter, substrate design, pH, water quality and the right food. Temperature is indeed important but not as critical as hobby urban myth has embraced

eatbreakfast · Apr 5, 2018

I would be reluctant to describe the thoughts on cooler temps as urban myth. I've observed a few dozen attempts at keeping them at reef temps and am unaware of any living past a year. The instances of them living over a year are all in cooler temps.