Multiple Yellowhead Jawfish? Urgent

[maxberter]

I ordered a Pearly (Yellowhead) Jawfish online. It just arrived, but they shipped 3! They are all still currently alive.
Not sure what to do. I have a 37 gal tall, so not that much footprint.
If I put all 3 in the tank, is there any chance they get along?
Can I put them in for a few days and then try to fish out 2 of them to sell to LFS?
How many days will they coexist?
Advice?

 

[TX_REEF]

I ordered a Pearly (Yellowhead) Jawfish online. It just arrived, but they shipped 3! They are all still currently alive.
Not sure what to do. I have a 37 gal tall, so not that much footprint.
If I put all 3 in the tank, is there any chance they get along?
Can I put them in for a few days and then try to fish out 2 of them to sell to LFS?
How many days will they coexist?
Advice?

I think you'd be fine to keep them all in your tank, but that depends on future stocking plans.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

I ordered a Pearly (Yellowhead) Jawfish online. It just arrived, but they shipped 3! They are all still currently alive.
Not sure what to do. I have a 37 gal tall, so not that much footprint.
If I put all 3 in the tank, is there any chance they get along?
Can I put them in for a few days and then try to fish out 2 of them to sell to LFS?
How many days will they coexist?
Advice?

I’d be concerned about 3 in that size tank tbh, that’s just me though. I’ve always heard 2 feet of tank between jawfish is ideal unless you have a mated pair. bring one or two to the lfs (i’d bring 2) or post on here, someone local may be interested

 

[braaap]

Yellow heads don’t typically do great in a group. Bluespots do. A 37 might support 2. But you don’t have much a choice unless you have an LFS who can take one.

Who was the vendor? Dr reef?

 

[maxberter]

general rule of thumb is 1 jaw fish per 2 feet of tank, I’d put 1 in maybe 2 if it’s a mated pair and bring the 3rd to the lfs or post here online, someone local may be able to take it off your hands. but yeah if you put 3 in it might turn into a blood bath in that size tank.

I guess my question is how quickly? Do I need to set up another tank for the 3rd fish in order to sell, or could I try to capture one or two of them in a few days

 

[maxberter]

Yellow heads don’t typically do great in a group. Bluespots do. A 37 might support 2. But you don’t have much a choice unless you have an LFS who can take one.

Who was the vendor? Dr reef?

Yes Dr. Reef. It's a replacement for one that did not survive acclimation last time and I appreciate it, but not sure how to handle the surprise bonus fish!

 

[eliaslikesfish]

I guess my question is how quickly? Do I need to set up another tank for the 3rd fish in order to sell, or could I try to capture one or two of them in a few days

hmmm, might be a pain to catch them once you put them in but it is always possible.

 

[braaap]

Yes Dr. Reef. It's a replacement for one that did not survive acclimation last time and I appreciate it, but not sure how to handle the surprise bonus fish!

Their service is amazing.

Honestly I’d give it a shot with all 3. Put then in and turn the lights off. Maybe even darken it with a towel. They will work it out.

 

[maxberter]

Their service is amazing.

Honestly I’d give it a shot with all 3. Put then in and turn the lights off. Maybe even darken it with a towel. They will work it out.

Leaning this direction i guess

 

[Serpentman2024]

I'd probably be more concerned they might jump out of the tank. Do you have a mesh covering?

 

[maxberter]

I'd probably be more concerned they might jump out of the tank. Do you have a mesh covering?

Yes, full coverage

 

[Serpentman2024]

Gotcha. Since you're adding them all at once, they might jockey for the best spots but hopefully, since there is not existing territories, they'll find their respective order and get along. Personally, I would roll the dice and see how it goes.

 

[NanoNana]

Leaning this direction i guess

Dr. Reef’s does that a lot with fish that tend to ship or acclimate poorly. They would have been quarantined together, likely are juveniles and will probably do okay for a while. Unless you have an alternate tank. You kinda have to put them in the DT. Pick your fave and sell the other two provided they all make it. The fish I have from there will eat out of my hand. Catching may not be hard.

 

[maxberter]

Just an update to anyone that comes across this thread (2.5 weeks later). One of the three Jawfish died on day 2 or 3. The other two hung out scared in a corner for about 5 days and now are living together in a single burrow right in the front corner of the tank . It actually took us about a week to realize they were both in there... thought one was MIA. So it's going very well for now (except for the 3rd that passed).

 

[maxberter]

Not sure if video posted, can't see it on my phone.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Hi everyone
We keep records of fish that ship/acclimate poorly, we normally ship doubles. Usually they will get along as they been qted together in same tank but then again every fish is different and behaves different when in a new environment.
If you have been shipped more than ordered fish. I would keep 1 in the tank and 1 in the sump for 7 days.
After 7 days if the main tank fish is doing fine then either sell/give/gift the 2nd fish to lfs or fellow hobbyist or keep both If you please.

 

[sc50964]

Yellow head jaw can live as a group. LFS keep them like that all the time, but not the blue spot Jaw.

 

[maxberter]

Not sure if video posted, can't see it on my phone.

final try.

 

[alabella1]

final try.

I just got two of my own. They are in QT now. I really hope they perform like yours once they go into the DT

 

[maxberter]

I just got two of my own. They are in QT now. I really hope they perform like yours once they go into the DT

Nice, good luck! Mine have set up spots on opposite sides of a small rock. I image the burrows are connected