jawfish keeps burying himself

[rooslix]

my yellow-headed jawfish keeps burying himself under rocks I put in the tank. I get worried after a day or two of never seeing him, so I remove the rock. The Jawfish is very unhappy with no rocks to hide under, but at least he is out in the open so I know he is still alive. I'm looking for any suggestions, what can I do to make a home for my Jawfish?

 

[yae4volcom]

Jaw-Fish acctually prefer deep sand beds over rocks. How deep is your sand bed? I would go too atleast 6 inches. The DSB will also help lower nitrates if it is a larger tank.

 

[polarpooch]

Jawfish like RUBBLE. Throw some rubble near his cave. Get some rock in there.
While a 6" sandbed would be nice...you probably aren't going to go that deep...so get some small rocks, some rubble and a couple of nice, larger rocks for him to hide under.
My pearly does find with about a 2" sandbed and the rubble.
Not seeing him for a day or two isn't unusual, especially if you just got him. They take a while before they get too bold...and besides, they are skittish fish anyway.
Mine hid for quite a while before finally getting brave enough to venture out...now he pops in and out of his cave regularly.
Enjoy...they are neat, and fun to watch!

 

[rooslix]

my gravel bed is about 3-4 inches, but I don't have any rubble for the jawfish to move around- just pea-sized gravel. Maybe that's my problem.
I've read stories of jawfish who burrow too deep under large rocks and then the burrow will collapse, so I'm kind of paranoid of losing him. He is my favorite fish!

 

[ozadars]

I agree w/ Carole!
PVC tubes are good homes for jawfish. Just put the hole of the PVC a bit high because i heard jawfish like to see all the tank when they get out of their holes, thats why they prefer sand instead of under lr to make a home.

 

[polarpooch]

I've read stories of jawfish who burrow too deep under large rocks and then the burrow will collapse
I've heard this too.

 

[killafins]

Jawfish like a mixed of sand and crushed coral, want i recommend is putting a flat piece of rock down and the jaw fish will dig it's own hold under it. this way it won't cave in. Alot of the time the jawfish will do this under ur rocks anyways but by having a flat rock it willb e safer for it.

 

[harlequinnut]

Mine hides all day and only come out when it's feeding time, he sticks his head out and dash in and out to snatch the food as it pass in front of his hole. Depending on where his hiding spot is, you may be able to see him occasionally with his head out of his hole.

 

[asbury030]

yea i have a yellow headed jawfish and he digs holes all over my tank and when i feed him i have to squirt the food near his hole and then he will come out and eat it but i have to back away from the tank because he is still skiddish.

 

[lesleybird]

Originally posted by rooslix
my gravel bed is about 3-4 inches, but I don't have any rubble for the jawfish to move around- just pea-sized gravel. Maybe that's my problem.
I've read stories of jawfish who burrow too deep under large rocks and then the burrow will collapse, so I'm kind of paranoid of losing him. He is my favorite fish!
Hi, I would get a little pile of those shells that micro hermits like to use for houses and put those in an area where your jawfish lives. Since they are hollow and don't weigh much they will not harm anything if they fall over. Lesley

 

[rooslix]

I just wanted to update everyone who helped me find a new home for my jawfish. I stuck a piece of PVC pipe in the gravel at a 45 degree angle and then buried it completely. my jawfish took to it like a fish to water. I put some Snail shells and pieces Of rock near the entrance, and he uses them to close the entrance at night. He is very happy now and I see him poking just his head out every few minutes. Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[the claw]

Your last tidbit of advice for tonight. Now make sure you have a cover over your tank or eggcrate stuff, because they love to go carpet surfin' at night. Trust me, if you don't have a cover he'll come up missing soon.