This is one of the most desirable jawfish in the marine aquarium hobby. Although expensive, this beautiful saltwater fish is worth every every cent.
The Blue Spotted Jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti) is a beauty to behold. Not only is this fish remarkable in its coloration, but it is one of the most behaviorally interesting Jawfish species available in the hobby. Of course all of this comes at a price that can average more than $25 an inch for this seldom-to-exceed four inch fish.
The Blue Spotted Jawfish, alternatively known as Bocón manchas azules or Bocón azul in Mexico and parts of Central America, ranges throughout the Eastern Central Pacific and Gulf of California often as deep as 100 feet.
Square-headed with a continuous dorsal fin and an undulating eel-like body, the Blue Spotted Jawfish has an obvious oversized jaw designed to scoop rubble and sand in pursuit of its industrious tunneling behavior. Its metallic blue spotting (Juveniles lack these spots) makes the Blue Spotted Jawfish readily identifiable and is almost as appealing as its personable disposition and fascinating behavior. Like all Jawfish, the Blue Spotted Jawfish is a prolific burrower, digging elaborate tunnel networks and generally staying close to its own burrow entrance. The Blue Spotted Jawfish is even known to cover the entrance of its burrow each night.
In the wild, Opistognathus rosenblatti lives in large colonies of up to several hundred individuals, but is best kept either singly or as a pair in captivity (in the wild they live a minimum of one meter apart). Like all species in the genus, they are paternal mouthbrooders, and a male-female pair will spawn in captivity.
The Blue Spotted Jawfish feeds on benthic and planktonic invertebrates in the wild and will generally do well in captivity on a diet of chopped table shrimp, mussel or other meaty seafood. Vitamin-enriched brine shrimp and mysid shrimp are also appreciated and contribute to a varied diet.
This fish, like most Jawfish, is a small (rarely larger than four inches) peaceful fish that will do best in a peaceful reef tank of 30 gallons or larger. The aquarium must have a sand bed of at least three inches to keep Jawfishes. Some aquarists have reported that their Blue Spotted Jawfish has attacked small ornamental shrimp.
Due to its somewhat limited availability, the Blue Spotted Jawfish does indeed command a high price. A quick Internet search shows this fish averaging around $119 (from both Blue Zoo Aquatics and Vivid Aquariums). While some may not be able to imagine spending so much on such a small fish, aquarists who have kept Blue Spotted Jawfish say its high price is absolutely worth every cent.
Other Jawfish Resources:
FishBase Website's Page on the Blue Spotted Jawfish
